While presiding over the climate change conference-2021 organized by the department of Environment, Science and Technology here today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that glaciers were important part of our ecosystem and we need to take concrete measures at the ground level to reduce the impact of climate change. He said that the Himachal Pradesh government was focusing on strengthening irrigation facilities, increasing agricultural production, improving socio-economic conditions of the people, ensuring economic security and rural infrastructure. Jai Ram Thakur said that major steps have been taken to ensure sustainable development and environment protection in the state. To reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the state government was focusing on the use of green fuels like hydropower and solar energy. He said that the state was very rich in hydropower resources and 10519 MW has been tapped so far. He said that the State Clean Fuel Policy would soon be brought to reduce air pollution. Jai Ram Thakur said that there was a need to make collective efforts to tackle the problem of climate change. We must support meaningful global warming legislation and improve the energy efficiency of power plants as well as increase the use of renewable energy sources, he said. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Digital Climate Change Reference Center through online medium. The Chief Minister issued guidelines for knowledge network on CC and DRR. He also launched State Action Plan Part-II on Climate Change and CAFRI Programme in Himachal Pradesh. German Ambassador Walter J. Linear stressed that we need to undertake collective efforts to deal with the climate change problem. Sonam Wangchuk, President, Student Educational and Culture Women of Laddakh appreciated the ambitious measures taken by Himachal Pradesh in the field of environmental protection. Director General, National Disaster Management Authority Kamal Kishore said that disaster management plan should be prepared for every area. He stressed on the need for formation of State Disaster Response Force in all the States. Senior Advisor, department of Science and Technology Government of India Dr. Akhilesh Gupta said that global warming was a big challenge for the world. He emphasized the need to develop a multi-hazard warning system. Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Science and Technology Prabodh Saxena welcomed the Chief Minister and all the dignitaries and gave detailed information about the conference. Director Environment, Science and Technology Sudesh Mokta proposed vote of thanks. Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Vice-Chairman of Uttarakhand Displacement Board Dr. S.S. Negi, Joint Secretary National Disaster Management Authority Kunal Satyarthi, Secretary Environment and Climate Change Uttar Pradesh Ashish Tiwari, Former Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change RR Rashmi, Padmashree Himmataram Bhambhu, IIS Scientist Dr. Anil Kulkarni, Director Climate Change Dr. Ashish Chaturvedi, various Secretaries, Vice Chancellors of various Universities and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
