With an objective to strengthen the claim of Uttarakhand to seek ‘Green Bonus’ for the ecosystem services provided by its forest wealth in the ‘Himalayan Conclave’, the conference of Chief Ministers of Himalayan States and policy makers of country to be held at Mussoorie on Sunday, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat released ‘Green Accounting of Forest Resources, framework for other natural resources and index for sustainable environmental performance for Uttarakhand State’ on Saturday.
In a programme organised at CM’s residence on the day, the CM also unveiled ‘Uttarakhand Human development Index report’ and Uttarakhand economic survey 2018-19, Part -II.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the need for forest resources and their accounting was being felt for long. He said that almost the entire country is getting the benefit of the ecological services and other benefits provided by the State which has 70 percent of its area under forest cover and has presence of glaciers, lofty mountains and place of origin of rivers like Ganga and Yamuna and others. He categorically stated that the State now has a study report which will provide a strong foundation for the demand of green bonus from the centre.
The report on forest resources has been prepared with the help of Indian Institute of for Forest Management, Bhopal. The report has provided an insight on the ecosystem services provided by the forests of the State in monetary terms. It pegs the flow value of 18 services provided by forests of state at Rs 95,11,260 Crore and the stock value of all three services at Rs 14,13,676.20 Crores. Rawat opined that the Human index report and economic survey would help in preparing draft of planned development for State.
Emphasising that special focus should be made on the development of the mountainous districts; the CM said that district magistrates of these districts should try to increase the per capita income. He said deliberations at block level should be held for increase in per capita income.
Rawat expressed satisfaction on the fact that in last two years, the per capita income of State has witnessed an increase of Rs 30,000.
Dehradun tops on Human Index report
The first human development index report of state was prepared with the help of New Delhi based Institute for Human development. The report puts the human development index of the state at 0.718.
The index is based on parameters like education, health, living status and life expectancy.
In the human development index, Dehradun district tops the table followed by Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. In Gender development Index, Uttarkashi district is at top followed by Rudraprayag and Bageshwar. In the multidimensional poverty index, Uttarkashi again is placed at top followed by Haridwar and Champawat. As per the report, the life expectancy of residents of Pithoragarh was found best ( 72.1 years). The State has a life expectancy of 71.3 years.
The industrial advisor of Chief Minister, K S Panwar, Principal secretary Manisha Panwar, chairman of labour advisory board, Samsher Singh Satyal, secretary B S Manral and ohers were present on the occasion.