Non-CO2 emissions roadmap for Himachal Pradesh released alongside medicinal plant agreements

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu oversaw two MoAs to expand medicinal plant cultivation and released a report on reducing non-CO2 emissions. The assessment sets a 2019 baseline and models sector pathways to 2047, focusing on short-lived climate pollutants such as methane and black carbon to protect air quality, glaciers, and water security.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday oversaw two agreements to expand medicinal plant farming in the state. Sukhu also released a policy report on cutting greenhouse gases beyond carbon dioxide. Officials said both steps linked climate action with rural livelihoods and long-term planning.

The report is titled Scientific Assessment of Tackling Non-CO2 Emissions: Pathways for Himachal Pradesh, a statement said. It is meant to guide action on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants SLCPs and other non-CO2 sources. The document sets a baseline for 2019 and maps possible changes up to 2047.

Non-CO2 emissions report for Himachal Pradesh targets SLCPs

The Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change prepared the assessment with IGSD and TERI. It looks at emissions by sector and suggests pathways over time. Durwood Zaelke, President of IGSD, Washington, said quick results depended on tackling super pollutants. Zaelke said methane and black carbon cuts gave the fastest gains.

State environment secretary Sushil Kumar Singla said the same pollutants also harmed daily air quality. Singla said they added to glacier loss in Himachal Pradesh. Singla warned this could weaken water security, farming, hydropower output, and disaster readiness across the state.

Medicinal plant cultivation MoA expands farming across Himachal Pradesh

Along with the climate roadmap, the state signed Memorandums of Agreement MoAs with Dabur India Limited and Ayurvedic practitioner Karan Singh Vaidh in Solan. The agreements aim to boost cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants. The plan also links farm supply with species suited to local ecology.

Under the MoA, Dabur India Limited will supply 12 lakh quality saplings each year. The deal sets one lakh saplings per species, and 1.20 crore saplings over ten years. The saplings will go to farmers across Himachal Pradesh based on ecological suitability and local growing conditions.

Low and mid-hill districts Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Sirmaur will receive Amla, Harad, Bahera, Kakadshingi and Lodhra. Mid to high-hill areas Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, and Kinnaur will get Jatamansi, Kutaki, Sugandhbala, Pushkarmool, and Padam Kasht. Higher reaches of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba will get Atich and Vish.

Medicinal plant cultivation in Himachal Pradesh focuses on Solan women farmers

The second MoA is with Vaidh for five years and focuses on Solan district. It plans cultivation, conservation and value-chain work for selected plants. In the first phase, at least 225 women farmers will be covered. The project area is more than 108 bighas, targeting nearby panchayats.

Six priority species will be grown under the Solan plan. These include Turmeric Curcuma longa, Ashwagandha Withania somnifera, Shatavari Asparagus racemosus, Tulsi Ocimum sanctum, Chirayita Swertia chirayita and Himalayan Gentian Gentiana kurroo. Officials said the focus would be on organised cultivation and local value chains.

Green Energy State plan in Himachal Pradesh includes solar and hydrogen

Sukhu said the government aimed to make Himachal Pradesh the first Green Energy State in the country. Sukhu said environmental protection remained a top policy priority. Sukhu said the state set a goal of harnessing 200 MW of solar power during the current year.

A one-megawatt Green Hydrogen plant is being set up at Nalagarh with Oil India Limited, Sukhu said. Sukhu said the state was also pushing electric mobility. Around 300 new e-buses would join the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation HRTC fleet by April this year.

Sukhu said electric vehicles were also being introduced across government departments. Sukhu said a 40 per cent subsidy was being offered to convert 38,000 taxis into e-taxis. Sukhu linked these measures to a wider push to cut pollution and reduce fossil fuel use.

Sukhu said climate change was creating serious risks for Himachal Pradesh. Sukhu pointed to cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and shrinking glaciers. Sukhu said these were warning signals that required urgent remedial steps. Sukhu also said impacts in the mountains affected areas far beyond the state.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was not merely a geographical entity but the soul of the Himalayas. Its glaciers, rivers, forests and mountains define its identity and sustain millions beyond its borders. Any disturbance to the Himalayas would have worse consequences not only for the State but for the entire nation, he said. The government said the report and MoAs would support planned responses.

With inputs from PTI