India’s Global Himalayan Expedition Wins UN Award For Fight Against Climate Change Amid COVID-19

by Suchismita Pal
India’s Global Himalayan Expedition Wins UN Award For Fight Against Climate Change Amid COVID-19

Imagine leading a daily life without electricity, internet or wifi. It seems next to impossible for people who have been born and brought up in tech-enabled metropolitan cities. But there are still some remotest corners of the country which lack these basic facilities. To make lives of people living in such regions easier, an Indian organisation fighting climate change has leveraged tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote Himalayan communities. The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) is one of the first organisations in the world to enable usage of solar power in remote areas through travel and tourism. The organisation has bagged the prestigious 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award. Also, the last Indian village on the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand will be developed into an iconic landmark.

Tourism And Technology Bringing Solar Energy In Remote Communities

The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) is one of the winners of 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award, thanks to its efforts of battling climate change amid the harrowing COVID-19 crisis. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website has stated that GHE is one of the world’s first organisations to use tourism and technologies to bring solar energy in remote areas. Meanwhile, Sonu Sood has installed mobile tower in Haryana village for students.

Global Himalayan Expedition
Picture Credits: GHE/ Twitter

Also Read: Village Tourism To Take Centre Stage In Bihar & Kerala; Ministry Invests ₹125 Cr

Impact Expeditions In Remote Villages

GHE directs ‘Impact Expeditions’ to remote Himalayan villages. It utilises a part of the campaign fee to pay for the cost of transportation, hardware, fortification and training of village-scale solar micro-grids. GHE has already carried out electrification of over 131 villages, improving the lives of more than 60,000 village people. Over 13,000 travellers from 60 nations have been a part of these expeditions. According to a Hindustan Times report, speaking about the winners, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “It is exciting to see these climate solutions, which reinforce my call for decisive leadership on climate change by governments, businesses and cities, and for a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us keep pressing ahead to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”

Global Himalayan Expedition
Picture Credits: GHE/ Facebook

Also Read: 5 Spectacular Villages That Are Only Few Hours Away From Kasol

This is another piece of news to make Indians feel proud all over again. Kudos to the incredible efforts! Meanwhile, did you know about the highest permanent village in India?

First Published: November 09, 2020 5:23 PM