Uttarakhand

• 06 Nov 2023

Kedarnath Dham on Top in Plastic Waste Management

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on November 4, 2023, Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand has topped the country in plastic waste management among the urban bodies of all the states in the Urban Larnathon organized by the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Housing and the National Institute of Urban Affairs in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• The digital deposit refund system implemented for plastic waste collection in Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand has been ranked first in the country, while Baini Sena Self Help Group Haldwani has been ranked second in solid waste management.
• In Municipal Corporation Haldwani, The Baini Sena Self Help Group is collecting garbage from door to door in 57 wards. Along with this, single-use plastic is making people aware not to throw garbage in public places. The group is earning Rs 35 lakh per month by charging user charges from 70 percent of households and shops.
• At the event, the Ministry of Urban and Housing gave away the award to Uttarakhand as the winner and runner-up of Urban Larnathon-2023. Haldwani Mayor Jogendra Rautela and Assistant Director of Urban Development Department Vinod Kumar received the award.
• It is known that in the last Chardham Yatra, Rudraprayag District Administration and Urban Development Department had implemented a digital deposit refund system for plastic waste collection in Kedarnath Dham.
• On January 7, 2023, the central government awarded this system with the National Digital Award. Under this management, Ukhimath development block was declared a plastic regulated zone.
• Apart from this, QRs were installed on plastic water bottles. Based on the QR code, the seller used to charge additional money from the customer. When the buyer returns the empty bottle to the designated shops, the excess amount is returned to him. 15 Digital Deposit Refund System Centers have been set up in Kedarnath Dham.

Five Proposals for Solar Energy Project in the State Got Approval

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on November 3, 2023, the state-level committee formed under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Energy Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram has reviewed the solar power proposal and approved the proposals for setting up five solar projects of 5.26 MW each.

Key Points:

• In this, Evincia Renewal Private Limited, Sahara Sai Private Limited, Technox Engineering and Service, Sahara Sai, Kashi Vishwanath Steel Textiles Mill Limited will set up solar projects totaling 5.26 MW (5265 kW). An investment of Rs 24 crore will be made in it.
• It is known that the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency had sought applications for setting up solar power projects under the solar policy in July 2023, in which proposals for seven projects of 20 MW capacity were received.
• The Energy Secretary said that the state government is promoting green energy to reduce carbon emissions on PM's resolve regarding global warming.
• It is known that the new solar energy policy was implemented in the state on April 13, 2023. Mukhyamantri Solar Swarojgar Yojana has been launched in the state. Apart from this, the state government is giving additional subsidy for setting up rooftop solar power plants for domestic consumers of Uttarakhand Power Corporation.