Appeals people to take care of the saplings planted during Harela PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised the importance of regularly caring for the saplings planted during the Harela festival until they grow into mature trees. He said this while participating in a plantation programme organised under the theme ‘Celebrate Harela Festival, Repay the Debt of Mother Earth’ on Wednesday. During the event, the CM planted a Rudraksha sapling. He said that Harela is more than just a festival. “It reflects a deep connection to the culture, nature and consciousness of Uttarakhand, reminding us of our responsibilities towards the environment,” he added. He also announced a target of planting approximately five lakh saplings on Harela while revealing that 50 per cent of those saplings would be fruit trees with a focus across each division of the Forest department. “The government is engaging in public participation in this campaign, involving voluntary organisations, students, women’s groups and local Panchayats,’’ he said. Dhami highlighted that Uttarakhand is a State rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, stating that it is our moral duty to protect it. He referred to initiatives like ‘Panchamrit Sankalp,’ ‘Net Zero Emission,’ ‘Lifestyle for Environment,’ and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ which are being promoted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The CM informed that this year, the national goal is to plant 1.08 billion saplings across the country. The CM also mentioned the Springs and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) in the State which has thus far conserved over 6,500 water sources and captured 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater. Further, a complete ban on single-use plastic has been enforced in Uttarakhand and dustbins have been made mandatory in vehicles. The Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi said that the tradition of planting trees after Harela Puja in Shravan has been practised in Uttarakhand for centuries. “It exemplifies our cultural consciousness and environmental responsibility regarded here as sacred duty,” he added. Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that the folk festival of Harela is being celebrated in 2,389 locations across the State. He stated that in the past three years, the survival rate of plants planted during the Harela festival has exceeded 80 per cent. He, however, expressed concern over declining water levels, emphasising the need for continuous efforts in planting and conserving water streams.
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