CM honours NGOs and individuals with Environment Leadership Award

Shimla, July 15, 2017: Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh who was the Chief Guest on a function of Himachal Pradesh Environment Leadership Awards-2017 distributed prizes to the honour the institutions, organizations and individuals who have voluntarily done commendable job in protecting the Flora and Fauna and initiated steps towards conservation of environment.

In the first prize category the awards comprised of Rs. 50,000 and a citation followed by the Second prize of Rs. 25,000 and citation besides certificates of appreciation.

There were four recipients in first prize category which includes ‘SATHI’ an NGO of Sirmaur for best initiatives in rural development through people centered sustainable action ensuring an overall self-reliance among the women and the down trodden, besides drinking water management interventions with cost effective eco-friendly activities covering 52 villages to benefit 6025 families.

Similarly Chitkara University Baddi was awarded first prize for 100 per cent waste paper recycling to produce recycled paper, folders, envelops, carry bags for use in campus by students and office and 100 percent waste water recycling by dual plumbing.

The other included in first prize category was Hotel Wildflower Hall, Shimla for installing organic waste converting system , for converting 200 to 300 kilograms of bio-degradable waste into manure by using crushing, squeezy de-watering system and involving local community in plantation drive with a motto of go-green.

The TVS Motor Company Ltd. Nalagarh in district Solan was also included in first prize category for using non-conventional method for drying sludge generated through sewerage treatment plant and rain water harvesting well and a pond to collect rain water from total plant area.

In the Second prize category, there were 11 recipients. The Pryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti Shimla for constructing water ponds and reviving traditional water resources, besides constructing check dams. The Samiti also has launched campaigns against illegal green felling and organizing awareness camps.

The Akal College of Engineering and Technology, Baru Sahib in Sirmaur district for adopting renewable sources of energy by installing solar water heater system 16000 liters per day and using solar thermic community cooking system for 100 percent population of Badu Sahib village and rotating drum methods for disposal of 50-60 kilograms of biodegradable waste.

The Pinewood Hotel, Barog in Solan for adopting renewable sources of energy by installing solar water heater, solar street lights, waste water treatment and reuse of treated waste water, plantation campaigns by engaging local community and cleaning of natural water sources with local community. The award was received by Managing Director HPTDC Dinesh Malhotra.

Elin Appliances Pvt. Ltd. Nalagarh in Solan for use of renewable sources of energy for space lighting and water heating, water balancing through re-cycling and re-use, conducting programme on environment protection and Swachh Bharat Mission for children in government schools and engaging communities and construction and maintenance of village roads and drains.

In the Second prize category, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla for effective bio-medical waste collection and segregation practices adopted, capacity building of paramedical staff, doctors and sanitation staff to effective handle bio-medical waste and disinfection of bio-medical waste by chemical treatment with the campus before final disposal.

Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital Kumarhatti in Solan for use of solar energy for space lighting in the campus and for solar passive design of building besides other things.

Government Senior Secondary School Kangad, Una for water conservation by constituting water audit team of students in campus to ensure no leakage and to check the drinking water quality, use of 100 percent LED lights in the campus, creation of eco-vatika, medicinal plants vatika and adoption of nearby village for cleanliness.

Government Senior Secondary School Portmore, Shimla for 100 percent waste water treatment and recycling, bio-composting of biodegradable material, rain water harvesting, solar passive building design etc.

Municipal Council, Sundernagar, Mandi for achieving replacement of 95 percent conventional street lights with energy sufficient LED lights and Development of medicinal plant park in MC limits Sukhdev Vatika and Khirdi vatika etc.

Gram Panchayat Majhgaon, Nauni in Solan district for construction of katcha and pucca ponds to preserve the rain water, construction of community toilets, plantation of fruit plants nearby village paths.

The certificates of achievements were given to as many as 8 person which includes Shri Jai Chand of Sirmaur the youngest awardee of HP environment Excellenec Award. Shri Jai Chand who studied in Government High School Chokar before going to plus one now hails from village Bhangadi, (Nohradhar), district Sirmaur was motivated by his father Shri Ram Lal to plant fruit and other plants.

From last three years Shri Jai Chand has taken up plantation drive on his own with assistance from his family and friends by growing walnut and deodar trees. Every year he plants 30 to 40 such plants on the barren land in the name of his father and was successful in his efforts. He has replanted the trees which were destroyed by the vagaries of nature. His efforts were verified by a team from Department of Science and Technology.

Shri Jai Chand was given appreciation certificate by the Chief Minister for his efforts towards converting a barren land into green belt.

The others who received the appreciation awards are Shri Jawahar Lal of Solan, Shri Tog Chand Thakur of Lahaul & Spiti, Environment Society of Nahan, Government Senior Secondary School Phagli, Shimla, SJVN Corporate Office Complex, Shimla, Regional Hospital Dhalpur, Kullu and Government High School, Kaded, Chamba.