HP can earn Rs 1,500 crore annually from Carbon Credits: CM

Shimla, May 16 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the state could earn upto Rs 1,500 crore annually from the Carbon Credits as per the international Kyoto Protocol Agreement.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said he had met the Prime Minister on the issue and a senior delegation of the Forest and Environment Ministry had visited the state to assess the situation on April 19 this year.

Mr Dhumal said as per the Agreement, developed nations were supposed to pay those states which preserve and conserve environment and protect trees that result in a reduction in the global carbon dioxide content.

The World Bank is the nodal agency for the purpose and the Himalayan belt comprising the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand would be the major gainers, he said.

He said it was the BJP government that initiated the process that would yield the much needed revenue for the economic development of the people of the state.

UNI XC AS PS BDP HT1924