Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami released the state's Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026 along with Gross Environment Product (GEP) reports for 2023-24 and 2024-25. The GEP reports assess the economic value of natural resources like forests, water, biodiversity, soil conservation and carbon absorption. Dhami directed officials to integrate carbon credits into the STI policy and to develop low-cost water harvesting solutions for households and communities. The STI Policy 2026 focuses on research and technology for local needs, including glaciology, disaster management, energy, water resources, agriculture, healthcare and skill development. The meeting with experts from IIT Roorkee, UCOST and other institutions discussed how environmental data can inform development planning in a Himalayan state. The policy had been formally released earlier in June, but this meeting adds emphasis on using environmental metrics for policy decisions. For those tracking climate policy, this is a concrete example of a state government using environmental accounting to shape its development agenda. The focus on carbon credits and carbon absorption valuation could create a template for other states with significant natural assets. However, the practical impact will depend on how these reports translate into enforceable targets and incentives, not just advisory documents.
