In Chhattisgarh, emphasis has been laid on making action plans at the Gram Panchayat level to deal with climate change. Initiatives like utilization of CSR funds, tree plantation, solar pumps, e-vehicles and promotion of organic farming were discussed in detail in the meeting.
Raipur. Chief Secretary Shri Vikassheel said that it is very important to make the rural areas of the state adapted to climate change. For this, instructions have been given to prepare a concrete and practical action plan at every Gram Panchayat level. He also said that a proposal should be prepared to make better use of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds for programs related to climate change.
Important decisions taken in the steering committee meeting
The meeting of the steering committee constituted for the climate change action plan of Chhattisgarh state was held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan. This meeting was presided over by Chief Secretary Shri Vikassheel. In the meeting, important issues like State Climate Change Centre, implementation of action plan and formation of State Climate Change Authority were discussed in detail.
Discussion on implementation of carbon credits and programs
The implementation of carbon credit based schemes was also discussed in the meeting. Effective implementation of action plans related to climate change was discussed with departmental secretaries. Additional Chief Secretary of Forest and Climate Change Department, Mrs. Richa Sharma gave information about the causes of climate change and its negative effects.
Tree plantation and green initiatives in Chhattisgarh
Officials of the State Climate Change Center said that tree plantation is being done on a large scale in Chhattisgarh.
- About 7 crore saplings were planted under the “One Tree in Mother’s Name” scheme.
- Under Kisan Vriksha Mitra Yojana, 3 crore 68 lakh saplings were planted.
According to ISFR 2025, forest and tree cover in the state has increased by 683 square kilometers, which is the highest in the country.
Promotion of e-vehicles, solar pumps and organic farming
The use of e-vehicles is being promoted to reduce climate change in the state. Solar pumps are being distributed to farmers. In the year 2025-26, organic farming was done on about 55,050 hectares of land, which strengthened environmental protection.
Water resources management and new initiatives
Hydrological planning of more than 300 dams has been done in the state. Also, sedimentation survey of 24 large and medium reservoirs has been completed. Officials also suggested setting up a climate change knowledge center in the state.
Participation and presentation of departments
In the meeting, officials of many departments including Agriculture, Forest, Water Resources, Urban Administration, Transport, Industry, Energy, Health, Revenue, Women and Child Development and Panchayat Department gave information about their respective plans.
Mass engagement through video conferencing
Many senior officials joined the meeting through video conferencing, including secretaries of Panchayat and Rural Development, Agriculture, Energy, Transport and other departments. Representatives of NABARD, Indian Institute of Science, Agricultural University and other institutions also participated.