Van Festival is a symbol of our commitment for a green future: Haryana CM Naib Singh Saini | Bharat News
Kalesar (Yamunanagar): Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini confirmed the state’s strong commitment to environmental protection, announcing that the Van Festival is our resolve to ensure our gratitude to nature, our responsibilities as citizens and a healthy future for generations to come.Speaking as the chief guest at the state level van festival organized by the Forest Department in Kalsar, the Chief Minister stressed that while rapid modernization is changing our lives, we should not forget our roots in nature. “When we plant a tree, we are sowing seeds of life and hope,” he said.Before participating in the program, the Chief Minister prayed at the historic Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, praying for peace and prosperity in the state. He also inaugurated a newly built Forest Department Rest House and participated in a tree plantation drive on the event site.
Large scale tree plantation target in Haryana
Chief Minister Saini shared that Haryana has set an ambitious target of planting 2.10 crore saplings this year. This initiative is part of the campaign “Name of a paid mother” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024. In its first phase, Haryana crossed its target by imposing Rs 1.87 crore against the set target of 1.60 crores. In the second phase launched on 5 June this year, the state aims to plant another 90 lakh trees with 1.20 crores under other ongoing schemes.
Kalsar and Kalaka Development as a Tourism Center
Highlighting the ecological and tourism importance of the Kalsar region, the CM announced that the government is working to develop the entire stretch in a tourist center from Kalasa to Kalsar. She praised Kalsar not only for her natural beauty, but also as a hotspot for trekking and nature tourism.
Security of forests and wildlife
To protect forests and wildlife, the government has intensified its actions against illegal tree failing and poaching. The forest department has been instructed to work more specially, especially in wildlife-rich areas like Kalsar National Park, where strict monitoring and patrol have reduced the poaching significantly. As a result, elephant herds were seen three times in the region last year, including Bansantor, where they have been successfully rehabilitated.The state has also developed dams in the Shivlik region to conserve water and ensure drinking water for wild animals, which also contributes to re -filling groundwater levels.
Honoring trees with ‘Pran Vayu Devta’ scheme
Taking a unique step towards green conservation, the state has launched ‘Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme’ to support trees over 75 years of age. Under this scheme, ₹ 3,000 annual pension per tree is provided for their care. So far, the of 1 crore has been distributed to the patrons of 3,800 such trees.Since October 2014, the state has already planted more than 18 crores saplings, and to monitor forest expansion, their growth is being tracked using drone-based geo-tagging and mapping over a period of 5 years.
Environmental awareness
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released two important publications: ‘Haryana Forest News’ and ‘Pran Vayu Devta’, which was aimed at spreading awareness about forest protection, importance of tree species and efforts being made by the forest department.Speaking at the event, Environment and Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh emphasized the long -term impact of the “One Tree in Mother’s Name” campaign. MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora also encouraged citizens to take care of the plant for at least one year to ensure their existence and environmental benefits.The CM was warmly welcomed by Additional Chief Secretary Anand Mohan Sharan and other dignitaries at the event. Among the attendees were Chief Conservator of forests Vineet Kumar Garg, former Cabinet Minister Kanwar Pal, CM’s OSD Bharat Bhushan Bharti, DC Partha Gupta, SP Kamdeep Goyal, BJP leaders, former MLAs and local representatives.The Van Festival served as a powerful reminder that permanent development should run with nature, and Haryana is setting an example for the rest of the nation.
