CM Sukhu Says Biochar Project Will Get Himachal Carbon Credits, Generate Jobs

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday reviewed the ongoing progress of Biochar plants being built in Hamirpur district and said the project would generate jobs, promote sustainable management of forest resources and assist the state in earning carbon credits.

This would contribute to both environmental conservation and economic development immensely, he said.

A tripartite agreement was signed in August last year between Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, the forest department and ProClime Services Private Limited, Chennai to establish two Biochar plants at Neri and Jahu in Himachal Pradesh, a statement said.

Biomass is being purchased at Rs 2.50 per kg with performance based incentives for maintaining quality. The programme envisages the production of Biochar through the utilisation of biomass derived from pine needles, lantana, bamboo and other tree and plants based biomass resources, it said.

The project is expected to generate about 28,800 carbon credits over the operational period of ten years, giving a boost to Himachal Pradesh’s green initiatives, it said.

The HIM Evergreen Integrated Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agro-forestry Programme will integrate trees into farming systems, strengthen resilience and create long-term economic opportunities for farming communities, the statement said.

Spanning 50,000 hectares of eligible agricultural landscapes across Himachal Pradesh, this will bring 13.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions under management.

This programme will also improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, increase farm resilience and generate measurable climate outcomes through carbon sequestration, it said.

Under the programme, GIS, remote sensing and digital data collection systems aligned with international carbon market standards will be deployed, the statement added.

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