Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini greeted people on the occasion of World Environment Day by planting a sapling at Government Senior Secondary School, Vyaspur, in Yamunanagar district on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner Preeti welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him with a sapling.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the Forest Department would plant 1.5 crore saplings across Haryana this year, of which 50 lakh saplings would be distributed free of cost. He added that under the Paudhagiri Abhiyan, 20 lakh saplings would be distributed among schoolchildren to promote environmental conservation through public participation.
The Chief Minister also announced that plastic bags currently used for raising saplings in departmental nurseries would be replaced with biodegradable bags.
Referring to the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini described it as an inspiring initiative that strengthens the bond between nature and culture.
He urged citizens to plant at least one sapling every year and take responsibility for its care and protection. “Society must not only focus on planting saplings but also on nurturing these until they grow into healthy trees,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, environmental protection was being transformed into a mass movement across the country. He added that the Haryana Government was committed to achieving the goals of sustainable development, a greener future and a cleaner environment.
Earlier, Saini paid a courtesy visit to the residence of former Sadhaura MLA Balwant Singh, where he interacted with party workers and local residents.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora, Yamunanagar Mayor Suman Bahamani, Deputy Commissioner Preeti, Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal, former MLA Balwant Singh, District Forest Officer Sandeep Saini, BJP leaders, workers and local residents were present on the occasion.
