Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Honours Environmental Champions on World Environment Day

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the field of environmental protection at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan located at the Chief Minister’s residence.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami felicitated achievers in the field of environmental conservation. The Sunderlal Bahuguna Nature and Environment Conservation Award 2025 (Government Category) was presented to the Rudrapur Municipal Corporation. The award was received by Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mrs. Shipra Joshi on behalf of the corporation. In the Non-Government Category, the award was presented to Shri Vijay Jardhari and Shri Pratap Singh Pokhriyal.

The Chief Minister also released an awareness poster from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board and inaugurated a portal developed by the Eco-Tourism Corporation. On this occasion, he administered the pledge for a plastic-free Uttarakhand and distributed cloth bags to school children.

He directed the Forest Department to plant at least 1,000 fruit-bearing trees in every forest division of the state this year to ensure adequate food for wild animals. The Chief Minister urged citizens and visitors not to feed wildlife items harmful to their health. He also appealed to the public to plant trees on birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, stating that such commitments are essential to promote environmental protection.

Extending greetings on World Environment Day, the Chief Minister highlighted that Uttarakhand is rich in natural beauty and biodiversity. Dense forests, sacred rivers, and Himalayan glaciers are the geographical identity of the state. He noted that due to the Prime Minister’s efforts, India is making significant global progress in renewable energy through initiatives like the Solar Mission, Electric Mobility, Green Hydrogen Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Namami Gange, and the Plastic-Free India Campaign—all playing key roles in environmental preservation.

He added that the state government celebrates the traditional festival of Harela on a large scale as a major event dedicated to environmental conservation. To preserve traditional water sources like naulas, dharas, and rain-fed rivers, the government has established the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA). Over the past year, the state has successfully conserved and treated more than 6,500 water sources and stored approximately 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater.

It has been made mandatory for all vehicles entering the state for religious tourism—including the Char Dham Yatra—and other purposes to carry waste bins. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the recently held National Games in the state followed the theme of “Green Games,” where all medals and trophies were made from e-waste, and sports kits were made using recycled materials.

Forest Minister Shri Subodh Uniyal said that Uttarakhand is deeply committed to environmental sensitivity, making it one of the top five states in India for carbon absorption. He emphasized public participation as a priority for environmental conservation and noted that visitors to Uttarakhand are being educated about eco-friendly practices. Efforts are underway to promote alternatives to plastic, and strict attention is being given to minimizing its use.

Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan stated that along with development, environmental conservation is equally important. The concept of Gross Environmental Product (GEP) has been introduced to reflect this. Following the Chief Minister’s directions, state-level environmental awards have been initiated. He stressed that the conservation of water and the environment is a collective responsibility of all.

Also present on the occasion were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Dhananjay Mohan, senior officials from the government, police, and forest departments.

Department of Information and Public Relations