CM Dhami Plants Rudraksha Sapling to Mark Harela Festival; Promotes Statewide Green Campaign

On the occasion of the Harela festival, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a state-wide plantation drive under the theme “Celebrate Harela, Repay Mother Earth.” The event took place at the Gorkha Military Inter College campus in Dehradun, where the CM planted a Rudraksha sapling. He extended warm wishes to all residents of the state on this culturally significant occasion.

Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that Harela is not just a festival but a representation of Uttarakhand’s deep connection with nature and culture. He reiterated the government’s commitment to environmental conservation, announcing that around 5 lakh saplings would be planted across the state. He also informed that each forest division is tasked with planting 50% fruit-bearing trees to increase biodiversity and local yield.

Public participation is a key feature of this green mission, with contributions from NGOs, students, women’s groups, and Panchayats. The CM stressed that true success lies not just in planting trees but in nurturing them to full growth.

He also cited national environmental initiatives like the “Panchamrit Pledge,” “Net Zero Emissions,” “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE),” and “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” and highlighted the formation of the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority to conserve over 6,500 water sources and store 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater.

Additional environmental policies include a ban on single-use plastic and mandatory dustbins in vehicles. CM Dhami urged citizens to plant at least one sapling on special occasions and take responsibility for its care, turning environmental conservation into a people’s movement.

Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi and Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal also extended greetings. They highlighted the festival’s cultural and ecological relevance, with the latter noting an 80% survival rate of saplings planted in previous Harela drives and stressing the importance of conserving water sources.