Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (CM Dhami) on Friday launched the 'Uttarakhand Gross Environmental Product Index' (GEP) to link ecology to the economy at the Secretariat. Uttarakhand is the first state to launch GEP. The Uttarakhand Gross Environmental Product Index has been assessed on the basis of four main components water, air, forest and soil. The Chief Minister said that a cell would be created for the effective implementation of GEP.

The Chief Minister (CM Dhami) said that the implementation of GEP in the state will establish better harmony between ecology and economy. Analysis of the results of this index will help in setting targets in the field of environmental protection in future. People will become more aware of environmental protection. He said that Uttarakhand has many types of forest wealth provided by nature. There is a need to make good use of them. We have to move fast towards the revival of water sources along with plantation. He said that Uttarakhand will work to give direction to the world in the field of environment.

Rapid work is being done towards water conservation along with plantation

The Chief Minister (CM Dhami) said that rapid work is being done in the state towards water conservation. The number of Amrit Sarovars is being increased rapidly. District Magistrates, Forest Department, SARA and other implementing agencies have been instructed to make continuous efforts for their conservation and increasing the water level. He said that a massive plantation campaign is being run in the state from 16 July to 15 August. A target of planting one lakh 64 thousand saplings has been set under the campaign. A target of planting 50 lakh saplings was set on the day of Harela festival. Plantation is also being done with public participation.

What is the Gross Environmental Product Index (GEP)?

Presenting the Gross Environmental Product Index, Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, head of HASCO organization, said that the result of various developmental schemes, industrial processes and compliance with government-made rules etc. is seen on our local environmental quality in a gross manner. If there is improvement in environmental factors like air, water, soil, forest and other factors, then an increase is seen in the GEP index. This shows that our system is environment friendly and despite developmental activities, it is stable and improving. If our environmental quality is not improving and any decline is seen in it or any negativity is seen in it, then a decline is seen in the GEP index.

During this, Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, Vice President of Infrastructure Monitoring Council Vishwas Dabar, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Chief Forest Conservator Dr. Dhananjay Mohan, Special Secretary Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Director General UCOST Prof. Durgesh Pant and other concerned officials were present.