Innovative initiative in Jharkhand: Plant a tree, get free electricity

Ranchi: A pioneering scheme aimed at promoting environmental consciousness is set to take root in Jharkhand, starting as a pilot project in Koderma district. The Jharkhand Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited (JBVNL) has devised a mechanism to implement the initiative, offering up to five units of free electricity for planting one tree. Although temporarily halted in Paranchi due to ongoing installation of smart prepaid meters, the scheme is slated for implementation across all urban areas of the state.

Under this unique program, if a consumer plants a tree on their property, they stand to receive a maximum of five units of electricity for free each month, with the limit set at five trees and five units. Koderma has been chosen as the inaugural location for the scheme’s launch. Municipal Corporations and bodies will play a role in tree counting within cities, with officials overseeing the process and informing the forest department.

To qualify for the scheme’s benefits, the tree’s diameter must be a minimum of 20 cm. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, during the inauguration of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh Park, announced this eco-friendly initiative, emphasizing that individuals contributing to environmental preservation in Municipal Corporation areas will be rewarded with five units of free electricity. The manual for the scheme is in its final stages of preparation. The government’s forward-thinking approach aims to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among the populace, marking a positive step towards sustainable practices.