Jaipur, April 4 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday said planting 100 million saplings during the upcoming monsoon season is a key priority under the ‘Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan’ initiative, aimed at transforming the state into a greener landscape.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office, Sharma directed officials of the Forest and Environment Department to prepare a comprehensive action plan and ensure continuous monitoring of the plantation drive. He also instructed the Chief Secretary to personally oversee progress.
The Chief Minister reviewed plantation targets along with progress on sandalwood forests, ‘Namo Van’, and ‘Namo Nursery’ projects, stressing the need for coordinated efforts across departments to meet the target.
The plantation drive will begin on World Environment Day (June 5) and gain pace during the monsoon months of July, August, and September. Sharma directed departments to complete preparatory work such as site selection, fencing, and pit digging in advance, and asked the Forest Department to maintain close coordination with all stakeholders.
To strengthen implementation, he directed the Revenue Department to assist in identifying suitable land for plantations and called for collaboration with Indian Railways to take up plantation activities on railway land. The Public Works Department has been tasked with preparing district-wise plans for plantation along major roads and pasture lands.
Highlighting ecological considerations, the Chief Minister stressed that plantation activities should be aligned with soil suitability and directed prioritisation of Goolar (cluster fig) trees under the mission.
He also suggested mobilising Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support maintenance, including water tanker arrangements for saplings at Forest Guard offices, and encouraged participation of ‘Vrikshamitras’ (Tree Friends).
Under the ‘Chief Minister’s Mega Tree Plantation Campaign’ (Mukhyamantri Vriksharopan Mahaabhiyan), fruit-bearing saplings will be distributed free of cost to farmers. Sharma also directed the Minister of State for Forests and Environment to inspect proposed sandalwood forest sites in Udaipur, Sirohi, and Banswara, ensuring arrangements such as fencing and drip irrigation.
The Chief Minister emphasised plantation in hilly, forest, and wildlife sanctuary areas, including through drone seeding. He also directed that one ‘Namo Nursery’ be established in every district on priority and called for a phased plan to develop ‘Namo Vans’ in every Panchayat Samiti.
Under ‘Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan’, the state has set a target of planting 50 crore saplings between 2024 and 2028. In 2024, against a target of 7 crore saplings, 7.22 crore were planted, while in 2025, more than 11.74 crore saplings were planted against a target of 10 crore.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Forests and Environment (Independent Charge) Sanjay Sharma; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Akhil Arora; Additional Chief Secretary, Forests and Environment, Anand Kumar; and other senior officials. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas joined via video conference.
–IANS
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