Uttarakhand Silver Jubilee: Dehradun to Plant 1.55 Million Saplings During Harela Mega Drive; Eco-Tourism-Focused ‘Quality Forests’ Planned

One-Month Harela Campaign from July 16; Green Control Room to Monitor Plantation Drive Across the District

Dehradun:

Marking the Silver Jubilee (25th year) of Uttarakhand, the traditional festival of Harela will be celebrated this year as one of the state’s largest environmental conservation campaigns. Beginning on July 16, the month-long plantation drive will witness the planting of 1.55 million (15.50 lakh) saplings across Dehradun district, with a strong emphasis on thematic plantations, development of “Quality Forests,” and promotion of eco-tourism.

A high-level review meeting chaired by District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan was held at the Collectorate on Tuesday to finalize preparations for the campaign. Senior officials from various departments participated in the meeting and were directed to complete all groundwork within the stipulated timeline.

“Harela Must Become a People’s Movement, Not Just a Formal Plantation Drive”: DM

Addressing the meeting, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan said that Harela symbolizes Uttarakhand’s deep cultural and ecological heritage. During the state’s Silver Jubilee year, the administration aims to transform the festival into a large-scale public movement dedicated to environmental conservation.

He emphasized that the plantation campaign should not remain a ceremonial exercise but should inspire active participation from every section of society to create a greener and healthier environment.

Micro-Level Planning for Effective Implementation

The District Magistrate instructed all government departments to immediately identify plantation sites and appoint a nodal officer for each department. These officers will prepare detailed micro-level action plans to ensure systematic execution and effective monitoring of plantation activities.

Departments have also been asked to select plant species suitable to local soil and climatic conditions to improve long-term survival rates.

Mass Public Participation to Drive the Campaign

The administration plans to involve public representatives, self-help groups, women’s organizations, youth groups, schools, colleges, social organizations, and local communities in the campaign.

Renowned national institutions, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Survey of India, ONGC, and ITBP, will also participate in the plantation drive to help create high-quality green zones across the district.

Thematic Plantations to Develop ‘Quality Forests’

Unlike conventional plantation drives, this year’s campaign will focus on thematic plantations, with selected species being planted according to local ecological conditions.

The initiative aims to develop Quality Forests that will strengthen biodiversity, improve ecological balance, and create new opportunities for eco-tourism in the district.

Green Control Room to Monitor Progress

To ensure transparency and accountability, the district administration will establish a dedicated Green Control Room.

The control room will conduct real-time monitoring of plantation activities, track departmental progress, maintain photographic documentation, and oversee survival rates of planted saplings throughout the campaign.

1.55 Million Saplings; Half to be Fruit-Bearing and Fodder Species

Officials informed the meeting that 1.55 million saplings will be planted across Dehradun district during the campaign.

Notably, 50 percent of the saplings will comprise fruit-bearing and fodder species, providing long-term environmental benefits while also supporting rural livelihoods, livestock, and biodiversity conservation.

Five-Year Maintenance Plan

The administration has decided that the campaign will not end with plantation alone.

Each planted sapling will be protected, monitored, and maintained for the next five years, with responsibility assigned to the concerned departments to ensure higher survival rates and sustainable green cover.

Preparations to be Completed by July 10

All departments have been instructed to complete excavation of planting pits, arrangement of organic manure, installation of tree guards, and transportation of saplings by July 10.

Saplings will be supplied through the Forest Department’s Mussoorie, Kalsi, Chakrata, and Dehradun Forest Divisions to ensure smooth implementation of the campaign.

Senior Officials Present

The meeting was attended by Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah, Divisional Forest Officers Neeraj Kumar Sharma, Vaibhav Singh, Mayank Kumar, SDO Abhishek Maithani, along with senior officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Industries, Education, Sports, Drinking Water, Public Works, and other departments.

Key Highlights

• Month-long Harela Plantation Campaign from July 16.
• 1.55 million saplings to be planted across Dehradun district.
• 50% fruit-bearing and fodder species to promote ecological and livelihood benefits.
• Development of Quality Forests to strengthen eco-tourism.
• Appointment of departmental nodal officers for micro-level planning.
• Participation of IMA, Survey of India, ONGC, ITBP, and other institutions.
• Establishment of a dedicated Green Control Room for real-time monitoring.
• Five-year maintenance and protection plan for all planted saplings.
• All preparatory work to be completed by July 10, 2026.