Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato Plant Saplings, Urge People to Conserve Nature and Water
Ranchi, Aug 2026 : Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato and Chief Minister Hemant Soren participated in the 77th Statewide Van Mahotsav 2026 organised at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly premises. On the occasion, both dignitaries planted saplings and conveyed a strong message on environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that protecting nature and the environment is a collective responsibility. He emphasised the need to formulate better plans for harvesting rainwater and ensuring that it is recharged into the ground.
Soren said that water, forests, mountains, rivers and rich natural resources are the identity of Jharkhand. Forests and nature are an integral part of the state's social life and culture, making environmental protection the responsibility not only of the government but of every citizen.
The Chief Minister said programmes such as Van Mahotsav remind people of their responsibility towards nature. He stressed that planting saplings alone is not enough and that equal attention must be given to their protection, nourishment and long-term survival.
He said concrete steps must be taken today to ensure a safe and healthy future for coming generations. The state government, he added, is continuously working towards forest conservation, expansion of green cover, water conservation and strengthening ecological balance. Preserving Jharkhand's natural heritage while maintaining a balance between development and the environment remains a key priority of the government.
Greater Public Awareness Needed for Environmental Conservation
Chief Minister Soren said every section of society must contribute to environmental protection. He called for making the conservation and nurturing of plants an integral part of Van Mahotsav.
He noted that the impact of such initiatives can already be seen in and around the Jharkhand Assembly complex as well as across the state, where increasing greenery is becoming visible. He appealed to citizens to actively participate in making Jharkhand greener.
Soren said programmes such as Van Mahotsav are crucial for creating awareness about environmental protection and conservation. If people join such initiatives individually, protecting the earth and its rich biodiversity will become easier.
Development Must Not Come at the Cost of Nature
The Chief Minister cautioned against environmental damage in the name of development. He said unbalanced development can disturb the ecological system and adversely affect human beings, animals and birds.
He pointed out that environmental degradation is not merely about cutting trees and cannot be fully compensated simply through plantation drives. Changes taking place in nature need to be addressed at every level. Otherwise, the future could become extremely challenging for humanity.
He said forests are being cleared, mineral resources exploited, groundwater extracted excessively and river flows altered through the construction of dams. With the population of the country and the state continuing to grow, increasing pressure on natural resources could have serious consequences.
Soren therefore called for greater vigilance and proactive action to protect the environment.
Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge Must Be Prioritised
The Chief Minister warned that the world, particularly India, could face a major water crisis in the future, which could become a serious challenge for humanity.
He stressed the need to increase environmental sensitivity in towns and cities and create widespread public awareness through various platforms.
Highlighting Jharkhand's abundant forests, mountains, rivers and mineral resources, Soren said people must maintain a balanced relationship with nature so that the state's resources continue to support future generations.
He urged people to undertake extensive plantation drives and ensure that rainwater is harvested and recharged into the ground.
The Chief Minister also directed the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department to go beyond plantation drives and undertake special campaigns for the proper care, nourishment and protection of planted saplings.
Fruit-Bearing Trees to Be Planted at Legislators' Residences
Soren directed officials of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department to facilitate the planting of fruit-bearing trees in the residential premises of legislators.
He instructed the department to provide saplings to all legislators and ensure their plantation, with the objective of increasing greenery across the state.
Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato, in his address, elaborated on the objectives of the statewide Van Mahotsav and highlighted the importance of protecting nature and the environment.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjeev Kumar delivered the welcome address.
During the programme, Chief Minister Soren planted a sapling on the Assembly premises and appealed to everyone to plant more trees and take a pledge to protect them.
He said a sapling planted today is a gift to future generations in the form of life, clean air and a safe environment.
Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, Minister Hafizul Hasan, Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, legislators, senior Forest Department officials and other dignitaries were present at the event.
#TeamPRD(CMO)
