Shimla/Keylong, Aug. 15 2025 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu virtually inaugurated the state’s first-ever ‘zero waste’ tribal festival at Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving heritage and promoting responsible celebration.
“The festival symbolises our commitment to preserving Lahaul-Spiti’s rich cultural heritage and will inspire people to celebrate responsibly,” Sukhu said, noting the challenges posed by climate change. He added that unusually heavy rainfall in the district had been a major concern, and the state government was working with the Centre to provide disaster relief and ensure environmental protection.
Sukhu also emphasised Lahaul-Spiti’s achievements in women empowerment and said the traditional products of the area would be promoted under the “Him-Ira” brand.
During the visit, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for five bridges in Udaipur sub-division under PMGSY Phase-3, with a total estimated cost of ₹36.41 crore. The projects include a 35-metre steel truss bridge over Chaikhang Nallah (₹9.93 crore), a 49-metre double-lane steel truss bridge over the Chenab River (₹9.46 crore), a 22-metre RCC T-beam bridge over Kishori Nallah (₹17.68 crore), a 76-metre RCC beam bridge over Teling Nallah (₹13.35 crore), and a 22-metre RCC beam bridge over Moring Nallah (₹1.89 crore).
In addition, Sukhu inaugurated the 76th State-Level Van-Mahotsav at Kanlog in Shimla and planted a deodar sapling to mark the event. He launched the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna across all assembly constituencies and interacted virtually with ministers and MLAs to discuss forest conservation and afforestation efforts.
“The state government is committed to protecting and enriching our biodiversity, aiming to increase forest cover to 30% by 2030,” Sukhu said. The scheme will involve mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, self-help groups, and joint forest committees, who will plant and maintain saplings on one to five hectares of designated forest land for five years. A budget of ₹100 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
This year, saplings are being planted across 1,000 to 1,500 hectares at a cost of ₹20 crore, with an additional ₹1.2 lakh per hectare earmarked for sapling maintenance, the chief minister said.
The initiatives, Sukhu noted, are aimed at promoting forest development, increasing public participation, and strengthening the rural economy while ensuring environmental sustainability in the state.
