On World Environment Day, Himachal CM honours seven ‘green’ schools and one district under CSE’s Green Schools Programme

• Chief Minister’s GSP Rolling Trophies handed out to Chamba district, and to seven green schools from Kangra, Solan and Chamba
• Annual trophy recognises Himachal Pradesh’s ‘greenest’ schools and districts, selected on the basis of ratings under CSE’s Green Schools Programme (GSP)  

June 5, 2026: On World Environment Day, seven schools of Himachal Pradesh, along with the district of Chamba, were felicitated with the Chief Minister’s Green Schools Programme (GSP) Rolling Trophy at a state-level celebration held at the The Ridge, a historic landmark in Shimla. The awards were presented by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh,in recognition of exemplary efforts in advancing environmental sustainability within school campuses and communities. 

The awards are instituted under the Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Green Schools Programme (GSP) in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE). The annual recognition is based on structured audits that evaluate schools on their environmental performance across key resource areas. 

This year, Chamba was declared the Best Green District, reflecting consistent performance across participating schools and a strong culture of environmental learning and action at the district level. 

The award winners:

• Chamba -- Best Green District Award: Recognised for achieving the maximum number of school submissions in the Green Schools Programme (GSP) Audit among all districts, demonstrating exceptional participation and commitment.
• Government Senior Secondary School Chaned, Chamba – GSP Newcomer Award: Recognised for attaining a Green Rating in its very first submission to the GSP Audit, reflecting strong environmental practices from the outset.
• Government Senior Secondary School Oachghat, Solan – Changemaker Award: Honored for its continuous efforts and consistent improvements that enabled the school to achieve a Green Rating through sustained environmental action and commitment.
• B L Central Public Senior Secondary School, Kunihar, Solan – GSP Air Manager Award: Recognised for adopting sustainable mobility practices and maximising the use of natural lighting in classrooms, thereby promoting better air quality and reducing energy consumption.
• Government Senior Secondary School Pratha, Solan – GSP Energy Manager Award: Honored for the efficient use of energy resources and the effective adoption of renewable energy through solar power initiatives.
• Government Primary School Bandol, Kangra – GSP Land Manager Award: Recognised for its efforts in maintaining green spaces, enhancing biodiversity, undertaking plantation activities, and conducting awareness campaigns on environmental conservation.
• Government Senior Secondary School Hobar, Chamba – GSP Water-wise Award: Honored for its initiatives promoting water conservation through awareness campaigns, rainwater harvesting, and water reuse practices.
• Government Senior Secondary School Khargat, Chamba – GSP Waste Warrior Award: Recognised for exemplary waste management practices, including waste segregation, composting, creative “best out of waste” initiatives, and the development of useful products through waste recycling activities. 

Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the critical role of environmental conservation in ensuring a sustainable future. Describing Himachal Pradesh as the “lungs of northern India,” he noted that the state's rivers serve as a vital source of water for many parts of the country. He urged every citizen to contribute towards environmental protection by planting more trees, conserving water, segregating waste at source, and discouraging the use of plastic in daily life. The Chief Minister also congratulated all the award-winning schools and institutions for their outstanding work in the field of environmental conservation and sustainability. 

Neeraj Kumar, Programme Manager, Environmental Education Unit at CSE, said: “Himachal Pradesh continues to demonstrate strong engagement with the Green Schools Programme. In the 2025-26 national GSP audit, 321 schools from the state participated, of which 35 were rated Green—reflecting consistent commitment to environmental improvement across institutions. The award-winning schools stand out as models of how structured environmental education can translate into measurable action.” 

CSE’s Green Schools Programme helps schools assess and improve their environmental performance in areas such as air, water, energy, land and waste management while promoting sustainable practices among students through hands-on learning.For over a decade, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in collaboration with HIMCOSTE, has been strengthening environmental education in Himachal Pradesh by supporting schools in adopting resource-efficient practices and fostering climate awareness among young learners. 

What Makes a School ‘Green’?
A “green school” is characterised by several core practices, including but not limited to:

• A window-to-floor ratio (WFR) of more than 5 percent.
• Promoting sustainable transportation options such as public transport, e-rickshaws, cycling, and walking.
• Maximizing energy-efficient lighting and utilizing renewable energy sources.
• Enhancing green cover by planting native species and fostering biodiversity on school grounds.
• Serving only cooked meals, avoiding packaged foods, to promote healthy and sustainable eating.
• Implementing rainwater harvesting systems and treating wastewater.
• Segregating waste at source, recycling at least 90 percent of waste, and responsibly managing disposal.
• Composting wet waste and avoiding incineration. 

For more details on the Green Schools Programme or this year’s awards, please contact:

Neeraj Kumar
Programme Manager, Environmental Education, CSE
Phone: 9716281849
Email: neeraj.kumar@cseindia.org