Nayab Singh launches two ambitious environmental protection schemes h. during the 75th State Level Van Mahotsav in Karnal

Chandigarh, July 13- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh today launched two ambitious environmental protection schemes during the 75th State Level Van Mahotsav held in Karnal. The new schemes, named ‘Van Mitra’ and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Yojana’, aim to enhance tree planting efforts and safeguard the environment.

Under the Van Mitra Scheme, the government will provide Rs 20 per tree to the Van Mitra for digging of pits, planting of trees, and their subsequent protection. Additionally, under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Yojana’,  tree planted by the people will be entrusted to Van Mitras for care and protection for which they (Van Mitra) will be provided Rs 10 per tree by the Government.

Earlier today, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh inaugurated the Oxy-Van in Karnal, a significant environmental project. The foundation stone for this 40-hectare Oxy-Van was laid by the then Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, on June 5, 2021.

The Oxy-Van features the development of nine different types of forests. To date, 10,000 trees have already been planted in the Oxy-Van. Today, an additional 20,000 saplings were planted simultaneously by various social-religious organizations, students, and NCC cadets. The Chief Minister extended his congratulations to all participants for their dedicated efforts. In addition, the Chief Minister released nine new books published by the Forest Department during the event, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to environmental education and awareness.

Modi had launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam scheme on June 5

The Chief Minister said that on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi had launched a unique campaign in the name of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam in Delhi. The Prime Minister had said that ‘as much respect as we give to our mother who gave us birth, we must give the same respect to Mother Earth who nurtured us. Planting a tree in the name of our mother will not only honor our mother but will also protect Mother Earth. The Chief Minister affirmed the Haryana Government’s commitment to enhancing the state’s greenery and reducing pollution, in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision.

 Addressed the growing global concern of environmental pollution

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh addressed the growing global concern of environmental pollution, stating that this year, temperatures in several districts of Haryana have reached as high as 50 degrees Celsius. He emphasized the urgent need for collective action to combat this crisis. The Chief Minister appealed to every family to plant at least one tree as a simple yet impactful step towards environmental conservation. He also encouraged individuals to commemorate significant personal milestones such as a child’s birthday, a wedding anniversary, or any joyful occasion by planting a tree. This act, he said, not only contributes to the environment but also creates lasting memories associated with these special events.

A growing tree is a symbol of a progressive nation

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh stated that a growing tree symbolizes a progressive nation. Emphasizing Haryana’s agriculture-based economy, he highlighted the critical role trees and forests play in maintaining soil fertility for agriculture. The Chief Minister stressed the necessity of developing forests through extensive tree planting and ensuring the protection of trees and plants. He said that an increase in the number of trees and plants directly contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment.

22 Oxyvans have established in urban and rural areas.

The Chief Minister, while referring to the Covid pandemic, said that Covid pandemic had taught us that oxygen is most important for saving life on this earth. Keeping this in mind, the government started a scheme to develop Oxy-vans on an area of 5 to 100 acres in every district for environmental protection.In the year 2022-23, authorities established 22 Oxy-vans in urban and rural areas. The work of establishing Oxy-van in district Panchkula is in progress.

22,425 hectares of area in Gurugram, Nuh, Rewari and Mahendragarh notified as reserved forest

The Chief Minister announced that the government has started many schemes to make Haryana green.In the year 2023-24, the government notified 22,425 hectares of land in Gurugram, Nuh, Rewari, and Mahendragarh districts falling in the Aravalli Hills as reserved forest to increase the forest area, and it spent Rs 6 crore on its conservation.  Apart from this, the government has started building Panchavati Vatika in 134 pilgrimages located within the 48 Kos of Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra. These pilgrimages are located in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat districts.

The government gives a pension of Rs 2750 for maintaining trees above 75 years of age.

The Chief Minister said that the government has started the Pranavayu Devta Pension Scheme, expressing gratitude towards trees above 75 years of age. Under this scheme, the government has provisioned Rs 2750 per year per tree for maintaining trees.In the year 2023-24, the government deposited Rs 2750 per tree into the bank accounts of the guardians of 3819 trees.  Similarly, the state is successfully running schemes like ‘Har Gaon Pedhoon Ki Chhaanv’, ‘Paudhagiri’, and ‘Har Ghar Hariyali’.

18 crore plants planted in the state 

Every year, the Chief Minister announced that Haryana will plant approximately 1.5 crore saplings this year, as done annually. Since October 2014, the state has successfully planted around 18 crore saplings. To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, the Forest Department will regularly map and monitor the growth of both newly planted and existing trees through geo-tagging drones. Over the next five years, we will monitor their growth to increase Haryana’s forest area and enhance the overall health of the state’s green cover.

International level herbal forest established in Morni area

The Chief Minister said that the Government has developed herbal parks in various districts for the conservation and promotion of medicinal plants. An international-level Herbal Forest has been established in the Morni area. Additionally, city forests have developed on 116 acres of land in Murthal, Sonipat district, and 11.25 acres of land in Sadhaura, Yamunanagar. Similarly, city forests are under development in Karnal, Panchkula, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Palwal.  Besides, around 2500 Village Forest Committees are working in the state to connect the local people with forest and environmental conservation.

Every individual must plant a tree – Minister, Sanjay Singh

On this occasion, Minister of State for Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Sports, Sh  Sanjay Singh appealed to the people to plant at least one tree under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam scheme started today and contribute significantly to the government’s vision to make the state green and pollution free, so that the coming generation does not have to face problems like environmental pollution.

On this occasion, MLA Indri Sh Ram Kumar Kashyap, Additional Chief Secretary Environment, Forest and Wildlife Sh Anand Mohan Sharan Principal Chief Conservator of Forests  Sh Pankaj Goyal along with other officials were also presen