MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora and civic officials plant saplings during the launch of the 'Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam' campaign at Jindal Park, Yamunanagar.
MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora inaugurates plantation drive at Jindal Park, urges citizens to nurture every sapling like a mother; campaign turns into a city-wide people’s movement
Yamunanagar | Pen of Democracy News Desk
In a major push towards urban greening and environmental conservation, the Yamunanagar Municipal Corporation on Thursday launched the ‘Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam’ campaign with a city-wide plantation drive, setting a target of planting 2,700 saplings across parks, schools, roadsides and public spaces.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by Yamunanagar MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora at Jindal Park, where he planted the first sapling alongside Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar, Chief Sanitation Inspectors Vinod Beniwal and Govind Sharma, Councillor Manu Krishna Singla, and other civic representatives. A total of 101 saplings were planted during the inaugural event.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora appealed to residents not only to plant trees but also to care for them with the same affection and responsibility as a mother nurtures her child.
“Tree plantation is essential for maintaining ecological balance. The ‘Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam’ campaign is not merely a government initiative but a tribute to motherhood and a reminder of our responsibility towards nature. Just as a mother nurtures us, trees sustain life by providing oxygen and a healthy environment,” he said.
Councillors, students and local residents plant saplings across municipal wards as part of the city-wide environmental campaign.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar said the Municipal Corporation has been consistently working towards making Yamunanagar cleaner, greener and pollution-free.
He said the campaign’s objective extends beyond plantation to ensuring the long-term survival of every sapling.
“The Municipal Corporation has set a target of planting 2,700 saplings across the city. Ward councillors, schoolchildren and social organisations are actively participating so that these saplings grow into healthy trees and create a lasting environmental impact,” he said.
Campaign Becomes a People’s Movement Across All Wards:
Unlike conventional plantation programmes confined to a single venue, the initiative was simultaneously carried out across all municipal wards, transforming it into a community-driven environmental movement.
Ward councillors, ward committees, students and members of social organisations planted saplings in parks, schools, roadside green belts and vacant public land throughout the city.
In Ward No. 3 of Jagadhri, Nishchal Chaudhary, son of former Haryana Cabinet Minister Kanwar Pal, joined Councillor Jayant Swami and schoolchildren in planting trees and distributing saplings to students, encouraging them to become ambassadors of environmental conservation.
Native Species Prioritised for Long-Term Ecological Benefits:
Municipal officials said the campaign gives priority to indigenous, shade-giving, fruit-bearing and medicinal tree species to maximise environmental benefits and improve biodiversity.
The plantation list includes banyan, peepal, neem, jamun, amla, mango and tamarind, among other native varieties.
Under the plantation plan, 200 saplings each will be planted in Wards 1, 3, 4, 11, 12, 18 and 19, while 50 saplings will be planted in each of the remaining wards. Additional plantations will also be carried out in public parks, educational institutions, along major roads and on vacant government land.
Officials said the campaign is expected to significantly enhance the city’s green cover while encouraging citizens to actively participate in protecting the environment.
Among those present at the launch were Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Advisor Lokesh Sen, Sanitation Inspector Bittu, former DAV Girls College Principal Dr Vibha Gupta, Media Cell In-charge Mukta, IEC Expert Durgesh Kumar, Akash Kumar, Pankaj, Mamta Sen, Nirmal Singh, and several other civic officials and residents.
