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Biochar Plant to be Set Up in Neri Soon: Chief Minister
Shimla, Updated At : 09:42 AM Aug 28, 2025 IST
Himachal Pradesh will soon launch the country’s first state-supported biochar programme, with a biochar plant to be established at Neri in Hamirpur within the next six months.
In this regard, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed today in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu between Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, and Proclime Services Pvt. Ltd., Chennai.
The Chief Minister said, “This project is a step towards environmental conservation by intelligently mitigating forest fires, while also creating livelihood opportunities and raising awareness among communities.”
The collaboration aims to produce biochar using biomass such as pine needles, lantana, bamboo, and other tree-based materials. Biochar derived from forest and agro-based biomass has wide applications in agriculture, metallurgy, and other industries.
Sukhu directed that the MoA be implemented within six months to benefit people in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Solan districts.
This initiative is expected not only to generate employment but also to help the state earn carbon credits. Proclime, through the Forest Department, will engage local communities in sustainable biomass collection. Participants will be paid ₹2.50 per kilogram of collected biomass, along with performance-based incentives to ensure both quality and quantity.
