The Kyoto Protocol 2005 caps the quotas on the maximum amount of greenhouse gases for developed and developing nations. In return, these countries set quotas on the emission by installations run by local businesses and other organisations. If European countries like Switzerland, Austria and Finland get carbon credits, why can’t Himachal be compensated through carbon credits for maintaining the ecological balance in the country?

I have raised the matter on all the fronts. I have personally discussed the issue with Central authorities, including the Union Minister of State for Environment. Himachal needs cost benefits to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore in lieu of the carbon credits earned by the country for the ecological balance it continues to maintain sacrificing its revenue returns of an equal amount.

A glaring example of the Central apathy is also in its shifting the forests from the state list to the concurrent list in 1976, taking control of the country’s forest wealth. Himachal’s income from the forests before nationalisation was almost Rs 100 crore per annum. This is a big blow as no steps were taken to compensate the state. To preserve the forests, a complete ban had been imposed on green felling and now people cannot even meet their basic needs of timber.

The state has been ruled for most part by Congress governments, which are yet to cite an example where they fought for the interests of the state even though the same party had been in power at the Centre and in the state. We have been fighting for our legitimate claims which stand on sound footing and logistics. We have a strong political will to fight for our rights at all levels and are capable of generating resources for our own needs.

... contd.