Progressing Towards Environment Protection & Sustainable Development

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most important travel destinations in India. Blessed with some of the most spectacular landscapes, lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys, fast flowing rivers, enchanting mountain lakes, flower bedecked meadows, beautiful temples, and monasteries, the state is a traveller’s paradise. However, there are very few places that have the vast expanse of untouched and raw land that is unsurpassable in beauty. Conservation of the natural sites and destinations is held an important element here so that future generations don’t get deprived of features of the environment untouched by human intervention. This will, in turn, arouse an understanding of the importance of keeping our environment clean and beautiful.
There is a need for a mass movement to save the natural beauty of the state. Himachal Pradesh Government is committed to pursuing a development strategy that takes into account the vulnerability of the Himalayan region and the need for environmental protection.
The endeavor is to support a transformational shift towards an environmentally sustainable and carbon smart economic growth model with the help of individuals/ organizations and demonstrate best practices towards environment protection.
With a hope to encourage and ensure the development of environmentally sustainable institutional mechanism in the State, ‘Himachal Pradesh Environmental Leadership Award’ has been introduced by the Himachal Pradesh Government. The annual Himachal Pradesh Environment Leadership Awards is open to urban local body excellence in municipal solid waste management, hospitals in bio-medical waste management, hotels or resorts, academic institution (other than schools), schools, office premises, industries, panchayats, resident welfare societies, restaurants, bus stands, railway stations/airports. Such awards are announced after careful scrutiny of proposals/ applications/ recommendations by the expert panel(s) for each category. The award consists of a trophy, a citation and a cash prize (Rs. 50,000/- as First Prize and Rs. 25,000/- as Second Prize), under each of twelve categories.

 
 
“Now in the process, the Government of Himachal Pradesh is endeavoring to mobilize all service sectors, organizations including hotels, restaurants towards to create an environmental responsible institutional mechanism that is self-sustainable.”

Hotel Wildflower Hall Shimla was conferred with first prize in hotel category for the year 2017, for installing organic waste converting system and involving the local community in plantation drive with a motto of go-green.

Various schemes of the government are there to ensure and bring about responsible change among various functional domains. Tourism industry can play a key role here. This industry has great potential to increase its support for the environment and spread awareness of environmental problems. Because tourism puts people in closer contact with nature and the environment.