Uttarakhand set a new environmental record by planting over 8.13 lakh saplings on the occasion of the Harela Festival. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024.
Chief Minister launched the campaign by planting a Rudraksh sapling. The event transformed a traditional cultural festival into a massive green movement. The plantation drive was conducted across all 13 districts, involving:
- Schools, villages, towns, Anganwadi centres
- Participation from local administration, forest department, NGOs, youth, women’s groups
About Harela Festival
| Aspect | Details |
| Meaning | “Harela” means “Day of Green” in local Kumaoni dialect |
| Region | Predominantly celebrated in Kumaon, also parts of Garhwal |
| Occasion | Marks onset of monsoon and beginning of sowing season (Shravan month) |
| Religious Belief | Celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati |
| Cultural Practices | Ritual sowing of seeds (barley, mustard, maize) in homes 10 days prior; sprouted shoots (harela) placed on family members’ heads as a blessing for health and prosperity |
| Popular Events | Local melas in Almora, Nainital; bamboo stilt (Gedi) games by children |
| Modern Relevance | Symbolizes eco-consciousness, agrarian culture, and nature worship |
About 2025 Plantation Drive
- Theme: “Celebrate Harela, Repay the Debt of Mother Earth”
- Total Saplings Planted: 8,13,000+, a record single-day environmental activity
- Tree species included: Native species like Rudraksh, Peepal, and other agro-ecologically important varieties
- Coverage: All 13 districts of Uttarakhand, across rural and urban areas
- Support from: Forest Dept., NGOs, youth volunteers, women SHGs, schoolchildren, local authorities
Significance
- Reinforces Uttarakhand’s leadership in eco-conscious governance.
- Promotes local participation in afforestation and climate resilience.
- Aligns with India’s climate goals under SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Amplifies cultural festivals as tools for grassroots environmental action.
- Strengthens the message of environmental stewardship in India’s Himalayan states.
About PM’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Initiative
| Detail | Description |
| Launch Date | 5 June 2024 (World Environment Day) |
| By | Prime Minister of India |
| Symbolic Act | PM planted a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, Delhi |
| Message | Tribute to mothers through tree plantation, recognizing trees as nurturers like mothers |
| Goal | Promote individual & collective environmental responsibility and foster sustainable development |
Key Facts
- Uttarakhand CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami
- Capital: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
- State Tree of Uttarakhand: Buransh (Rhododendron)
- Harela Festival Similarity: Shares nature-focused values like Van Mahotsav (national)
- Kumaon Region Districts: Includes Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar
- Other Monsoon Festivals: Phool Dei, Ghee Sankranti, Bikhauti, Makar Sankranti, Teej, Sawan, Onam, Nag Panchami are monsoon-linked festivals in different Indian regions