SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday inaugurated a plantation drive at Shurala, jointly organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society and the Forest Department.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor congratulated the organisers and local residents for undertaking the initiative aimed at environmental conservation and public welfare.
He said tree plantation should not be treated as a ceremonial exercise but as a long-term commitment towards securing a greener and healthier future for coming generations.
Gupta said Indian culture regarded nature as a mother and that ancient scriptures had consistently emphasised the protection of trees, rivers, mountains and the environment.
He stressed that merely planting saplings was not enough and called for their proper care and protection until they developed into healthy trees.
The Governor said Himachal Pradesh’s forests were an invaluable natural asset and played a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, ensuring water security and supporting the well-being of millions of people in northern India.
He urged citizens to actively participate in environmental conservation and help transform tree plantation into a mass movement.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, Gupta said the initiative had successfully linked environmental protection with widespread public participation.
Planting a tree in honour of one’s mother, he said, was both an emotional tribute and an expression of gratitude towards Mother Earth.
The Governor called upon schools, colleges, panchayats, voluntary organisations and young people to take the lead in promoting environmental awareness.
He appealed to every citizen to plant and nurture at least one tree annually, saying collective efforts could significantly strengthen the country’s green cover.
Expressing concern over rapid urbanisation and the growing spread of concrete structures, Gupta underlined the need to preserve greenery and maintain harmony with nature.
He said the vision of Viksit Bharat could be achieved only through a clean, healthy and ecologically balanced environment.
The Governor also said that Shurala was his first rural visit during his five-month tenure and that he was deeply impressed by the area’s natural beauty and simple way of life.
More than 120 saplings of indigenous species, including pomegranate, ban, deodar, walnut, chir pine and bana, were planted during the campaign.
Officials of the Forest Department, representatives of the State Red Cross Society and students of the Junior Red Cross Wing of Shimla Nursing College participated in the plantation drive.
State Red Cross Society Chairperson Dr Sadhana Thakur, Executive Member Kimmy Sood, Secretary to the Governor Sandeep Bhardwaj, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjay Sood, senior officials, nursing college faculty and students, panchayat representatives and local residents attended the programme.
