Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana and public representatives plant saplings during the 77th Van Mahotsav-2026 programme in Safilpur village, Yamunanagar.
Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana urges citizens to turn plantation into a people’s movement; says environmental conservation is key to Haryana’s sustainable future
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Marking the ongoing 77th Van Mahotsav-2026, the Haryana Government on Friday organised a large-scale plantation programme in Safilpur village of Sadhaura Assembly constituency, reinforcing its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from public representatives, officials and local residents, who joined hands in planting saplings and spreading awareness about the importance of protecting nature.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana attended the programme as the Chief Guest and led the plantation drive alongside elected representatives and Forest Department officials. Addressing the gathering, he said the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has accorded top priority to environmental conservation through extensive afforestation and public participation.
The Minister highlighted the success of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, stating that the Forest Department has already planted nearly 3.55 lakh saplings across Yamunanagar district. He stressed that tree plantation should not remain a symbolic exercise but should evolve into a long-term public commitment, with every citizen taking responsibility for nurturing the saplings after planting them.
Mr Rana also spoke about the State Government’s ‘Pranvayu Devta’ Scheme, under which old and heritage trees are being protected through a pension-based conservation model. He said the initiative encourages citizens to preserve mature trees while strengthening emotional and social responsibility towards nature.
Announcing a major green initiative for the village, the Minister said nearly 10,000 saplings would be planted on Panchayat land in Safilpur under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. He observed that trees play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by providing oxygen, conserving water resources, supporting biodiversity and combating the adverse effects of climate change.
Calling upon villagers to transform plantation into a mass movement, Mr Rana urged every family to plant at least one tree and ensure its survival through regular care. “Planting a tree is important, but protecting and nurturing it is even more essential,” he said, adding that environmental protection requires collective responsibility rather than one-time campaigns.
The programme also focused on creating awareness about water conservation, biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable environmental practices. Forest Department officials appealed to residents to actively participate in future plantation drives and contribute towards building a greener Haryana.
Among those present were Yamunanagar MLA Ghanshyam Das Arora, BJP District President Rajesh Sapra, Mayor Suman Bahmani, former Minister Kanwar Pal, former MLA Balwant Singh, Zila Parishad Chairman Ramesh Chand Thaska, Safai Karamchari Commission Chairman Ishwar Singh Palaka, Municipal Committee Chairperson Shalini Sharma, SDM Vyaspur Dr Kuldeep Singh, District Forest Officer Sandeep Kumar, Market Committee Chairman Naveen Bhasin, Sarpanch representative Narsi Ram, Sarpanch Ruma Devi, RFO Krishna Kumar, BFO Parvez, Sandeep, Balbir, Gram Sachiv Rajesh, senior BJP leaders Sumat Jain, Maya Ram, Veeren, Ramdas, along with other dignitaries and villagers who participated in the plantation drive.
