Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the commencement of a ₹250 crore project to increase Rajasthan’s green cover. He also announced the creation of 3500 Van Mitras across the state.
The Rajasthan government has initiated a ₹250 crore green development project to enhance the green cover and protect the environment. Under this scheme, dedicated individuals committed to environmental protection will be appointed as ‘Van Mitra’. The target is to plant 10 crore saplings this year and 50 crore saplings over the next five years, along with the creation of 3500 Van Mitra positions. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma shared these plans on Sunday at the 76th State-level Van Mahotsav ceremony held at the Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University campus in Madao.
Record of Planting 2.5 Crore Saplings in a Single Day
CM Bhajanlal stated that during the Van Mahotsav, organised on Hariyali Teej, a record of planting 2.5 crore saplings in a single day will be achieved. At the ceremony, CM Bhajanlal planted a Sindur sapling, launched a Rohida-based brochure, and presented the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smriti Puraskar and Innovation Award. He also paid homage at the statue of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya on the university campus.
CM Bhajan Lal planting a Sindur sapling at the ceremony. Photo: Patrika
Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award-2023 Distributed
At the event, Chief Minister Bhajanlal also distributed the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award-2023. The ceremony was attended by Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, Bagru MLA and Director General of Police Rajiv Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Ramsevak Das, and other officials.
Abundant Rainfall Due to Divine Grace
CM Bhajanlal Sharma stated that the Van Mahotsav was being celebrated on Hariyali Teej, a festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. He attributed the abundant rainfall to the blessings of Lord Shiva, mentioning that over half of the state’s dams had filled up in July, with the Bisalpur dam overflowing for the first time in July.
Plant a Tree in Your Mother’s Name
CM Bhajanlal Sharma highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to plant a tree in the name of one’s mother. He urged everyone to plant at least one sapling in their mother’s name and care for it as a family member. He mentioned that inspired by this initiative, the Rajasthan government launched ‘Mission Hariyali Rajasthan’ last year during Hariyali Teej.
