Hariyali Amavasya: More than 50,000 saplings were planted across 31 states on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya as part of a nationwide plantation drive led by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in collaboration with the “Vriksh Mitra Parivar.” The campaign drew further momentum from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative.
The program was held at the PBG Ground, Central Ridge, near Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, where ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, farmers, youth and citizens participated in the plantation drive. The program began with the watering of saplings and the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by mass plantation. Similar plantation drives were organised across villages, towns, panchayats and institutions in different parts of the country. Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar played a key role in mobilising citizens and encouraging them to plant at least one tree.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan said Hariyali Amavasya is not only a religious occasion but also an opportunity to express gratitude towards nature. He said Indian traditions view human beings, animals, birds, rivers, mountains and trees as interconnected elements of the natural ecosystem. “Planting a tree is not just about adding greenery; it is an investment in the future of coming generations,” Shri Chouhan said, stressing that planting saplings must be accompanied by a commitment to their protection and regular care.
The Union Minister urged every citizen to plant at least one tree each year and encourage five others to join the campaign. He suggested observing birthdays, wedding anniversaries, the birth of children and the death anniversaries of parents as “Vriksh Parv” by planting trees.
Shri Chouhan also called upon panchayats, urban local bodies and institutions to identify designated areas for plantation so that saplings can be protected and maintained over the long term. Highlighting the close link between environmental sustainability and agriculture, Shri Chouhan said environmental degradation directly affects farming, water availability, soil health and human well-being.
He said that for farmers, access to water and maintaining soil health are as important as the availability of seeds and fertilisers. He called for greater adoption of Mission LiFE, energy conservation and reduced dependence on plastic to strengthen environmental protection. “Nature must not be exploited; its resources must be used responsibly and conserved for the future,” he said.
Delhi government’s Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Delhi Government had drawn valuable lessons from Shri Chouhan’s initiative. He said more than one lakh people in Delhi have been connected with the campaign, while schools, colleges and other institutions are also being encouraged to participate in plantation activities. Shri Sirsa said citizens are increasingly coming forward to take a collective pledge for environmental protection and contribute to the plantation drive.
Delhi government’s Cabinet Minister Shri Parvesh Verma said the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative should inspire every citizen to take responsibility for protecting the environment. He said development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand, adding that sustainable development requires a balance between infrastructure expansion and preservation of green cover.
The program was attended by Member of Parliament Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary, representatives of various institutions, officials from agricultural universities, personnel from ICAR, DARE and KVKs, and a large number of members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar. The nationwide drive was positioned as a tree plantation exercise as well as an effort to build sustained public participation in environmental conservation. The campaign emphasised that planting a sapling is only the first step, while ensuring its survival and growth is an equally important responsibility. Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar are continuing to take this message to communities across the country.
