Himachal demands crores for preserving forests

  • 07/05/2008

  • Hindu (New Delhi)

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has raised the issue of carbon credits with the Union Government and sought Rs.1,000 crore for Himachal Pradesh every year as compensation for preserving the forest cover in the State. The State can earn a revenue of more than Rs.1,600 crore annually if the obligatory ban on green felling is lifted. The hill State is reckoned to have forest wealth worth Rs.1.5 lakh-crore. Launching a cleanliness drive here, Mr. Dhumal said the countries in Europe and the rest of the developed world were generously rewarded for preserving the forest cover within their boundaries. "Himachal is not only safeguarding its forests but also allowing only pollution-free industries to come up in its industrial areas,' he said.