Six of Himachal’s ‘greenest’ schools win Chief Minister’s GSP Rolling Trophy for 2024-25

• Three of the six schools are from Solan, which was adjudged the best-performing district  
• Trophy awarded annually to the 'greenest' schools in the state, based on rankings by Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Green Schools Programme (GSP) 

Shimla/New Delhi, June 5, 2025: On World Environment Day, six schools from Himachal Pradesh were awarded the prestigious 2024-25 Chief Minister’s GSP Rolling Trophies for their exceptional environmental initiatives. The awards ceremony, held at Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla, celebrated the schools' commitment to sustainable practices.

The awards were presented by Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Green Schools Programme (GSP) in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science and Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE). The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, presented the awards; DS Rana, Member Secretary of HIMCOSTE, was also present at the event. 

Solan district, known for its consistent leadership in environmental sustainability, was recognised as the best-performing district in the state, with three of the six award-winning schools from this region. The district continues to set a high bar for green practices in schools. 

The GSP Rolling Trophy, introduced in 2017, acknowledges schools that participate in the GSP audit and work tirelessly to promote sustainability. CSE, a leadingenvironmental research body in South Asia, and HIMCOSTE have been working together for nearly a decade to advance environmental education in Himachal Pradesh, nurturing a generation of eco-conscious students. 

Speaking on the occasion, HIMCOSTE Member SecretaryDS Rana said: “We have been working with CSE for over 10 years now, and we are grateful for this partnership. It is essential to prepare the next generation for environmental conservation, and the Green Schools Programme is doing this remarkably well. We hope this collaboration continues in the same spirit in the years to come.” 

The Winning Schools:

1. GovtSr Sec School Baldeyan, Shimla: Awarded the Changemaker School Award for consistently improving its green performance and inspiring other institutions in the state.
2. GovtSr Sec School Bhaleth, Hamirpur: Awarded the GSP Waste Warrior Award for its exceptional waste management practices, setting an example for schools across the state.
3. Govt High School Kanah, Solan: Honoured with the GSP Land Manager Award for its outstanding efforts in land conservation and sustainable land use management.
4. Doon Valley Public School, Solan: Awarded the GSP Energy Manager Award for its innovative energy conservation efforts and implementation of renewable energy practices.
5. GovtSr Sec School Sarog, Shimla: Received the GSP Newcomer Award for its impressive overall performance across several sections of the GSP audit, emerging as a leader in environmental education.
6. Shivalik Valley School, Nalagarh, Solan: Recognised with the GSP Waterwise Award for its effective water management practices, including water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives. 

Neeraj Kumar, Programme Manager, Environmental Education at CSE, said, “Himachal Pradesh is setting an inspiring example in 2024-25 with 290 schools completing CSE’s annual GSP audit of resources and environmental practices inside their campuses -- marking the second-highest participation by any state in India. The award-winning schools exemplify what can be achieved through dedicated efforts in environmental education.” 

The Green Schools Programme (GSP) encourages schools to improve their environmental practices in key areas such as energy conservation, waste management, water use, and biodiversity enhancement. The programme empowers students to become future leaders in sustainability, promoting responsible environmental practices that benefit both the school community and the larger society. 

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