Uttarakhand Shatters Records with 8.13 Lakh Saplings Planted in One Day
Over 8 lakh trees planted in a single day during Uttarakhand’s Harela festival, setting a new environmental milestone.
Uttarakhand made history on Wednesday by planting over 8.13 lakh saplings across the state during the vibrant Harela festival, smashing its previous records. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami kicked off the massive plantation drive by planting a Rudraksh sapling, aligning the effort with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. Dhami’s inspiring slogan, “Celebrate Harela, repay Mother Earth’s debt,” fueled this unprecedented environmental push.
The state’s 13 districts buzzed with activity as thousands of locations—from villages and schools to urban centers and Anganwadi facilities—saw enthusiastic participation from locals, forest officials, NGOs, women’s groups, and youth. Surpassing the initial target of 5 lakh saplings, this year’s effort dwarfed the 2 lakh saplings planted during Harela in 2016, marking it as Uttarakhand’s largest single-day plantation drive.
At a lively event at Gorkha Military Inter College in Dehradun, Dhami described Harela as more than a festival—it’s a deep-rooted celebration of Uttarakhand’s bond with nature. “These aren’t just saplings; they’re a testament to our collective resolve to protect our environment,” he declared. He stressed the importance of nurturing these saplings like children to ensure they thrive, noting that half of this year’s plantings in each forest division will be fruit-bearing trees to boost sustainability.
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Dhami also addressed pressing environmental challenges like climate change and resource depletion, urging a united effort to restore ecological balance. He highlighted the state’s achievements, including the conservation of over 6,500 water sources and the collection of 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater through the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA). Uttarakhand’s green commitment extends further with a ban on single-use plastics and mandatory vehicle dustbins.
State Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, also present, shared that saplings planted during Harela over the past three years boast an impressive survival rate of over 80%. Dhami called on citizens to make tree-planting a tradition during life’s special moments, transforming environmental care into a statewide movement. With this record-breaking feat, Uttarakhand is planting the seeds for a greener, healthier future.
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