Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s traditional folk festival Harela was celebrated across the state on Thursday with devotion, enthusiasm, and traditional fervour. A target has been set to plant one million saplings across the state as part of this festival dedicated to nature conservation and greenery. The Forest and Horticulture Departments are carrying out an extensive plantation campaign in both urban and rural areas.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while extending his greetings on the occasion of Harela, said that the festival is not only a symbol of our faith in nature but also a commitment to environmental conservation, protection of water sources, and ensuring a greener future for coming generations. He said that preserving Uttarakhand’s natural heritage, biodiversity, and cultural legacy is a collective responsibility of all.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign has increased public awareness about tree plantation across the country. In the same spirit, a large-scale plantation drive is being carried out across the state during Harela. He appealed to all citizens to plant as many trees as possible at their homes, villages, schools, and public places, and to take responsibility for their protection.
Meanwhile, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation has launched a campaign under the “Mission Poshan Sankalp” to distribute 400,000 to 500,000 vegetable saplings with the support of self-help groups and ward councillors. In addition, 70,000 fruit-bearing, fodder, and other species of plants are being planted and distributed in schools, Anganwadis, parks, and public places. Arrangements have also been made for GPS mapping and registration of the plants in a Green Register to ensure their protection.
Through various programmes organised across the state, people conveyed the message of environmental conservation by planting trees. Social organisations, schools, self-help groups, and local residents also participated enthusiastically in the Harela celebrations.
