Himachal’s Call for a Green Bonus: Protecting Nature, Seeking Justice
Environmental protection comes at a price—and Himachal Pradesh says it’s time the nation pays its share. During his budget speech in the Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu raised a powerful point: despite providing ecological services worth nearly ₹90,000 crore, the state receives no compensation.
Himachal’s forests, rivers, and fragile mountain ecosystems are not just local treasures—they sustain agriculture, drinking water, and environmental balance across northern India. Yet, while the state bears the cost of conservation, the benefits flow nationally. Sukhu reiterated the demand for a structured “Green Bonus”—a financial mechanism to reward states that safeguard biodiversity and natural resources.
Residents and policymakers alike argue that strict environmental safeguards limit industrial growth and revenue opportunities. “We protect the forests, but our economy suffers,” Sukhu emphasized, pointing out that Himachal’s responsibility toward conservation often comes at the expense of development.
The idea of a Green Bonus isn’t new. States like Himachal, Uttarakhand, and those in the Northeast have long pressed for recognition of their ecological contributions. With mounting financial challenges, Himachal’s latest push signals a stronger resolve to secure fair compensation from the Centre.
For the hill state, the demand is not just about money—it’s about justice. Protecting rivers, forests, and fragile ecosystems is a national service, and Himachal believes it deserves to be valued accordingly.
