SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh has launched a groundbreaking initiative with the start of India’s first state-supported biochar program. This project, a significant step toward environmental conservation and economic development, will see a biochar plant established in Neri, Hamirpur district, within the next six months.
A trilateral agreement was officially signed in Shimla involving Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, and ProClime Services Private Limited. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the project’s importance, stating it’s an intelligent approach to preventing forest fires while creating new opportunities for local communities.
The program focuses on producing biochar by using readily available biomass like pine needles, lantana, and bamboo. The Chief Minister has directed that the agreement be implemented quickly to benefit residents in pine-rich areas across Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Solan.
Benefits for Communities and the Environment
This initiative offers a dual benefit: it will help the state earn carbon credits and provide a new source of income for residents.
- Income & Employment: Local communities will be paid ₹2.50 per kilogram for collecting biomass. This is expected to generate around 50,000 workdays of income annually, in addition to direct employment at the new plant.
- Skill Development: The project will also include skill training in safe biomass collection and the use of biochar in agriculture, in collaboration with the university.
- Climate & Forest Protection: By removing flammable materials like pine needles, the program will significantly reduce the risk of forest fires. Over the next 10 years, it’s projected to generate 28,800 carbon credits, boosting Himachal Pradesh’s green initiatives.
ProClime Services will invest up to $1 million in the project’s phased implementation. The Forest Department will oversee the biomass collection and provide necessary support, while the university will provide three acres of land and conduct research on biochar applications. Biochar, derived from forest and agricultural waste, is a valuable resource used in farming and various industries, making this project a key step toward a greener, more sustainable future for the state.
