Chandigarh, July 5, 2024
The inaugural ceremony of Vanmahotsav-2024 was held today at Raj Bhawan, Punjab, where Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Sh. Banwarilal Purohit launched the plantation drive by planting a sapling of “Rudraksha” in memory of his mother under the 'एक पेड़ माँ के नाम' campaign. During the event Shri Rajeev Verma, IAS, Adviser to Administrator along with senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration and members of expert committee for preparation futuristic plan and Greening Chandigarh Task force members were present. The Administrator also flagged off three vehicles under the “Van Vibhag Aap Ke Dwar” campaign, which aims to distribute saplings to the public at their doorsteps. These vehicles will cover the entire city, motivating and encouraging residents to plant trees by distributing up to five saplings per person free of cost. During the ceremony, the Sh. Purohit also released the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan-2024-25 (GCAP). The plan includes procedures for tree felling and pruning for public information. Approximately 2.75 lakh saplings will be planted by various stakeholders in the city. The Forest Department has launched a special drive focusing on increasing “Trees Outside Forest Area” (TOF). This initiative aims to promote tree plantation on non-forest land, reaching out to other government departments, organizations, institutions, schools, and colleges for tree plantation within their premises.