The Yamunanagar Municipal Corporation on Thursday formally launched its city-wide ‘Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, setting an ambitious target of planting 2,700 saplings across parks, educational institutions, roadsides and public spaces to strengthen the city’s green cover.

The campaign was inaugurated at Jindal Park, where Yamunanagar MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora planted the first sapling in the presence of Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar, Chief Sanitation Inspector Vinod Beniwal, Chief Sanitation Inspector Govind Sharma, Councillor Manu Krishna Singla, and several prominent citizens. A total of 101 saplings were planted at the launch event.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora said the campaign is more than a plantation programme—it is a tribute to motherhood and a reminder of every citizen’s responsibility towards nature.

“Just as a mother nurtures and protects us, trees sustain life by providing oxygen and maintaining ecological balance. Planting a sapling is meaningful only when we take responsibility for its care and survival,” he said.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar said the Municipal Corporation is working continuously to make Yamunanagar cleaner, greener and pollution-free.

Ward councillors, residents and volunteers plant saplings across different municipal wards under the city-wide environmental campaign.

He said the civic body aims to plant 2,700 saplings during the campaign and is involving ward councillors, schoolchildren and social organisations to ensure the survival and long-term growth of the trees.

“Our objective is not merely to plant saplings but to ensure that they grow into healthy trees. Public participation is essential to achieving this goal,” he said.

Campaign Expands to Every Ward:

The plantation drive was simultaneously carried out across all Municipal Corporation wards, transforming the initiative into a community movement.

Ward councillors, ward committee members, students and volunteers planted saplings in parks, schools, along roadsides and on vacant land across the city.

In Jagadhri’s Ward No. 3, Nishchal Chaudhary, son of former Cabinet Minister Kanwar Pal, joined Councillor Jayant Swami and schoolchildren in planting trees and distributing saplings to students, encouraging them to actively participate in environmental conservation.

Focus on Native Tree Species:

Municipal officials said the campaign prioritises native, fruit-bearing and medicinal species to maximise ecological benefits.

The plantation plan includes banyan, neem and peepal, along with jamun, amla, mango, tamarind and other indigenous varieties.

As part of the campaign, 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 undertaken in public parks, educational institutions, roadside green belts and vacant government land.

Officials said the initiative aligns with the broader objective of enhancing urban biodiversity and promoting environmental awareness through active community participation.

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 other civic representatives.

POD/DESK