Harela symbol of state’s culture, environment conservation: CM

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 27

Chief Minister Harish Rawat planted saplings of ‘rudraksh’ and distributed seedlings among schoolchildren at a programme organised by the Forest Department to celebrate Harela at Maharana Partap Sports College in Raipur here today.

The Chief Minister said the Harela festival was a beautiful amalgamation of our culture with environment conservation. Thus, the state government and various organisations are conducting a plantation campaign across the state from Harela to ‘Ghee Sangrand’.

Rawat praised the Forest Department and said seedlings had been made available to it according to it demands. He urged people to make plantation part of their lifestyle and an integral habit.

“We all should make people aware about plantation as only trees can change their lives. Hence plant maximum number of trees and be a partner in environmental conservation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rawat directed the district administration, the MDDA and the Forest Department to plant ‘rudraksh’ plants at all temples of Lord Shiva across Dehradun.

The Chief Minister instructed the Forest Development Corporation to plant auxiliary trees around the depots of the corporation and plant mulberry trees in the Ramganga Valley from Gairsain to Bhikiyasen.

The Sports Secretary was instructed to increase the milk allowance to Rs 5 for children of Maharana Partap Sports College.

Harela symbolises the new harvest and rainy season. This year, the festival is being celebrated with people’s participation across the state. The government is playing the role of a collaborator in the mission and various people’s organisations are being motivated to launch plantation campaigns.