Jai Ram Thakur, Hon’ble Chief Minister Himachal Pradesh laid the foundation stone of new Regional Office building and residential complex of Mandi at Bipasha Sadan Mandi today on 19 th September 2022, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.3.5 crores. Hon’ble Chief Minister also launched Him-GRIH (Himachal Pradesh Green Star Rating Initiatives for Hotels) of the State Pollution Control board. Him-GRIH is an initiative of State Board to recognize tourism units that are committed to conserve and protect Himachal Pradesh’s environment, by awarding them with 3 to 5 stars as per their green initiatives. This is the unique initiative & first of its kind in the country. While the hotel industry is regulated by SPCB for pollution control under various laws, HIM-GRIH shall encourage the tourism units to adopt green, sustainable practices. The units with HIM-GRIH green star rating shall be promoted by the Board through HIM-GRIH website, mobile application, social media & other website. It will make the owners & management of these units more aware about the measures that can be taken to make their unit environment friendly & encourage them to take these initiatives.
HIM-GRIH shall acknowledge these efforts taken by them. On this occasion, a video was also launched for awareness on the said initiatives. In addition to above, he released a Comic Book of Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board namely “Ward Member Meenu ka Safai Abhiyan”, which focusses on ways and methods of effective waste management, which is targeted for the environmental awareness and education of the students of the State. Hon’ble Chief Minister also released two Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Him-Grih and consent management and authorisations processes. Main objective of preparing SOP was to make everyone aware about the documentary requirements for consents and authorisation of the State Board and to bring about the standardisation in the process and leaving no room for ambiguity. Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister said the Meenu ka Safai Abhiyan is an innovative and noble publication for the awareness of the children of the State, which shall enrich the knowledge of our children about environmental issues and their preparedness to protect our pristine environment.
He further said the proposed Regional Office shall cater to the requirement of the industrial units, hotel units and general public of the district. He further congratulated the representatives of industrial associations, hotel associations and urban local bodies for active participation in the Samanvay 2022, which was held during latter-half of the day for effective implementation of environmental laws. Prabodh Saxena (IAS), Hon’ble Chairman, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board listed various activities initiated by the State Board particularly during last few months for effective implementation of environmental laws and hoped that local bodies shall strengthen themselves in all respect for effective management of solid waste in the days to come. At the outset, Shri Apoorv Devgan (IAS) Member Secretary, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board welcomed Hon’ble Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh for sparing his valuable time for laying the foundation stone of new Regional Office and Building Mandi and releases of several publications of the State Board. First session was followed by Samnvay 2022 in the latter-half of the day, in which guest speakers included from Center for Science and Environment New Delhi and Healing Himalayas.
