Rohtak, June 24: Emphasizing the need to expand green cover for maintaining ecological balance, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta directed officials to ensure extensive plantation at all identified locations across the district and said that tree plantation must be transformed into a people’s movement through active public participation.
In line with the Government of India’s flagship initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and the vision of Mission LiFE, the District Administration and Forest Department will launch “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Jan Bhagidari se Harit Rohtak Abhiyan” during the current monsoon season. Under the campaign, plantation activities will be undertaken over approximately 185 hectares, with a target of planting 3,48,692 saplings across the district during 2026-27.
Of the total target, around 1,98,692 saplings will be planted by the Forest Department under various afforestation, agro-forestry and compensatory plantation schemes, while 1,50,000 saplings will be distributed among citizens, schools, institutions and social organizations for plantation through public participation.
DC Inspects Meham Nursery
The Deputy Commissioner inspected the Forest Department nursery at Meham along with Deputy Conservator of Forests Sunder Singh Sambharia and reviewed the stock of saplings prepared for the monsoon plantation drive. Approximately 87,840 saplings have been raised at Meham Nursery. Besides this, more than 31,000 saplings at Herbal Park Nursery, 43,000 at Lakhan Majra Nursery, 78,000 at Sunaria Nursery, 39,000 at Sanghi Nursery, 21,000 at Sampla Nursery and over 30,000 saplings at Bohar Nursery have been prepared by the department.
He also issued necessary directions to the officers to ensure quality plantation and proper maintenance of saplings.
70,000-Sapling Miyawaki Forest at Jalebi Chowk
Chairing the monthly review meeting of the Forest Department at the Camp Office, the Deputy Commissioner directed that a dense Miyawaki forest comprising around 70,000 saplings be developed at Jalebi Chowk in coordination with the National Highways Authority of India. Another Miyawaki plantation comprising approximately 10,000 saplings will be undertaken along the Rohtak-Gohana Road near Makroli Toll Plaza.
He observed that Rohtak’s location in the National Capital Region makes environmental conservation even more important and stressed the need for large-scale plantation along roads, drains, urban green belts and vacant public lands.
Plantation Across Roads, Green Belts, Institutions and Village Lands
Plantation will be undertaken along roadsides, drains, village common lands, institutional lands, urban green belts and public spaces across Rohtak district. Major locations identified include Rohtak South Bypass, Rohtak-Gohana Road, Gohana Bypass, Drain No. 8, Chandi Distributary Road, HSVP Green Belts, HSIIDC Green Belt, PTC Sunaria, Karontha Stadium, Maina Stadium, Garhi Sampla Stadium, Government Sanskriti School Sampla, Government College Meham, Nindana Stadium, Bhali Sugar Mill, Gaddi Kheri Government Senior Secondary School and various locations in Rohtak, Meham, Kalanaur and Lakhan Majra blocks.
The Forest Department will also undertake roadside plantation along major stretches passing through villages including Farmana, Meham, Bhaini Chanderpal, Kheri Meham, Madina, Kharkara, Kalanaur and Lakhan Majra.
Focus on Native Species and Biodiversity
The campaign will focus on plantation of native and ecologically suitable species including Neem, Peepal, Banyan, Pilkhan, Jamun, Arjun, Kachnar, Amaltas, Kadamb, Shisham, Amla, Harad, Baheda and Melia Dubia, thereby strengthening biodiversity and ensuring long-term ecological sustainability.
Besides departmental plantations, 50,000 saplings each will be distributed under the Paudhgiri Programme for schools, Jan Sahbhagita Abhiyan and free distribution/sale schemes, encouraging citizens to plant and nurture trees in the name of their mothers.
“Tree Plantation Must Become a People’s Movement”
“Environmental protection is a shared responsibility. Through ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Jan Bhagidari se Harit Rohtak Abhiyan’, we aim to convert tree plantation into a people’s movement and leave a greener legacy for future generations. Every citizen should plant and nurture at least one tree in the name of their mother,” said Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta.
During the meeting, issues relating to forest protection, prevention of illegal felling, encroachments and monitoring of forest areas were also reviewed. Deputy Conservator of Forests Sunder Singh Sambharia, RFO Subhash Chandra, RFO Rakesh Kumar and other officers were present.
With a target of planting 3.49 lakh saplings over 185 hectares and active participation of citizens through plantation of 1.50 lakh saplings, the district administration aims to make Rohtak a model of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
“One Tree for Mother, A Greener Future for Rohtak”
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Jan Bhagidari se Harit Rohtak Abhiyan