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PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that carbon emissions have been reduced by 72 tonnes through a digital deposit-refund system for plastic waste management in the Himalayan State. He said this while addressing a national symposium organised to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr Nityananda at the Doon University here on Monday. “The State government is continuously working to conserve the Himalayas. The initiatives include digital monitoring systems, a glacier research centre and water source conservation campaigns aimed at long-term preservation of the region. We have successfully implemented a complete ban on the use of single-use plastics,” he said. Besides, tree plantation drives, water conservation campaigns and environmental awareness programmes are being initiated to maintain ecological balance in the Himalayan regions, he said, adding that several schemes have also been launched to promote solar energy and other renewable energy sources to mitigate the impact of climate change. “The State government has established the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) to conserve traditional water sources such as springs, streams and rain-fed rivers in the State,” he added. In a tribute to Dr Nityananda, CM stated that he had dedicated his entire life to the Himalayas, nature, society and the nation. “His vision was as lofty as the Himalayan peaks and his spirit of service was deeper than the Himalayan valleys,” he said. He highlighted that Dr Nityananda had worked tirelessly for the empowerment of villages and provided scholarships to approximately 40 students each year from his own income. CM also recalled the relief and rehabilitation model developed by Dr Nityananda and the volunteers after the Uttarkashi disaster in 1991 and the Chamoli disaster in 1999. He noted that this model is still considered one of the best. “Dr. Nityananda institutionalised service by forming Uttarakhand Natural Disaster Relief Committee which continues to set an exemplary standard for humanitarian service during disasters across the country,” he said. He further mentioned that Dr Nityananda Himalayan Research and Study Centre in Dehradun has become a significant platform for promoting his ideas, providing new direction in Himalayan studies, sustainable development, disaster management and policy-making. He further encouraged everyone to plant a tree on significant occasions in life such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries or any other memorable day and take care of it regularly. Notably, during the event, the CM honoured Jayendra Singh Rana and Sanjay Satyawali with the Sustainable Himalayan Environment Award for 2025-26.