Chief Minister Inaugurates ‘Wetlands for Life’ Film Festival, Emphasizes Environmental Protection and Renewable Energy.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the ‘Wetlands for Life’ Film Festival, an event dedicated to environmental conservation, organized by the HP State Wetland Authority, HP Council for Science, Technology and Environment, and the Department of Environment, Science, Technology, and Climate Change.
The festival showcased a series of short films, including “Guardians of Wetlands: Women as Stewards of Conservation,” “Green Renuka Ji Fair: A Collective Endeavour of Renuka Lake,” and “Municipal Solid Waste around Wetlands in Himachal,” highlighting various aspects of wetland conservation and the environmental challenges faced by the region.
During his address, Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the government’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of Himachal Pradesh. Reflecting on last year’s unprecedented disaster and its impact on the state, he stressed the urgency of addressing climate change through collective efforts. “Public participation is crucial in tackling environmental issues; it is not solely the government’s responsibility,” he remarked.
Sukhu underscored the state’s dedication to reducing reliance on fossil fuels by promoting renewable energy sources. The government is advancing e-vehicle adoption with an allocation of Rs. 300 crore for purchasing e-buses and plans to lay the foundation for a one-megawatt green hydrocarbon project in Nalagarh, Solan district. Additionally, a 32-megawatt solar power plant at Pekhubela in Una district is already operational.
Highlighting the role of wetlands, Sukhu praised the film festival for raising awareness about their significance. He noted that wetlands, despite covering only six percent of the Earth’s surface, support nearly 40 percent of global plant and animal species and provide essential resources for local communities.
The event also featured remarks from Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra, and independent expert Dr. Somnath Bandopadhyay, among others. DC Rana, Member Secretary of HIMCOSTE, welcomed the Chief Minister, and Kirtiman Awasthi, Project Manager of Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection, presented the vote of thanks.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, and several MLAs and senior officials attended the festival, underscoring the state’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
