Chhattisgarh

• 05 Jan 2022

First meeting of Chhattisgarh Green Council

Why in News

• On January 3, 2022, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the first meeting of the Chhattisgarh Green Council, constituted to give impetus to regenerative development in the state, was held. In this meeting, the vision and main activities of the council were finalized to solve the environmental issue.

Key Points

• Regenerative development is a more progressive concept than sustainable development, which works to increase the income of the local people through livelihood under the New Age Green Economy along with proper utilization of available resources as well as enhancing the quality of resources. .
• He said that Chhattisgarh is probably the first state in the country where Green Council has been constituted. Efforts will be made to further strengthen the green and sustainable economy in the state through the Green Council.
• The government's initiatives will include capacity building of women SHGs to market sustainable forest, medicinal, herbal and other products, inviting specialist companies to Chhattisgarh and launching an intra-state carbon credit program.
• The Chief Minister said that during the last three years, to strengthen the rural economy in the state, several eco-friendly schemes, such as 'Narva, Garuva, Ghuruwa, Bari Yojna' under 'Suraji Gaon Yojana', 'Godhan Nyay Yojana', have been implemented in Gothans. The work of preparing vermi compost from cow dung, increasing the income of local forest dwellers along with expansion in forest areas, value addition in minor forest produce has been started under 'Chief Minister's Tree Plantation Promotion Scheme'. These schemes are giving impetus to environmental protection and economic empowerment.
• Regarding carbon emissions, he said that Chhattisgarh is moving towards organic farming using vermicompost. Carbon emissions (pollution) are being reduced by not burning stubble and using it as fodder. He said that Chhattisgarh can prove to be the second organic state after Sikkim in the coming time.
• The Chief Minister directed that a nodal officer should be posted in every district to promote regenerative development, after identifying the specialties of the districts, development works should be done there with the help of experts.
• He also directed to make efforts towards branding of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh will be the first state to take such a progressive step towards the economic empowerment of the local people along with tackling the challenges of climate change.