Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges citizens to plant at least one sapling as Vriksh Mitra Parivar expands environmental campaign

Key Highlight: More than 50,000 saplings are set to be planted across villages, cities and panchayats as part of a nationwide Hariyali Amavasya plantation campaign.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for a nationwide plantation drive on Hariyali Amavasya, encouraging every citizen to plant at least one sapling and contribute to environmental conservation.

The campaign, scheduled for August 12, will see members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar undertake plantation activities across the country. A collective pledge has been made to plant more than 50,000 saplings.

Chouhan will participate in a plantation programme in New Delhi along with colleagues, while members of the initiative will conduct similar drives in their respective villages, cities and panchayats.

Hariyali Amavasya Linked to Environmental Conservation

Describing Hariyali Amavasya as an occasion to express gratitude towards nature, Chouhan said India’s festivals often carry both cultural and scientific significance.

He emphasised that gratitude towards nature should extend beyond words and translate into action, with tree plantation serving as a practical contribution towards environmental protection.

The campaign aims to turn the traditional celebration into a broader public movement focused on increasing green cover and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for nurturing trees.

Vriksh Mitra Parivar to Mobilise Communities

Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar have committed to plantation activities across different parts of the country.

Chouhan has urged participants not only to plant one sapling themselves but also to encourage five additional people to participate. Each of those participants is, in turn, being encouraged to involve five more people.

The proposed chain of participation is intended to expand the campaign beyond the initial 50,000-sapling target and encourage community-led environmental action.

Citizens have also been encouraged to share details and photographs of their plantation activities through Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s official website.

Focus on Sustained Environmental Responsibility

The campaign places emphasis not only on planting trees but also on creating wider awareness about environmental conservation.

For rural communities, increased tree cover can contribute to soil conservation, microclimate regulation and landscape resilience, while urban plantation can support greener public spaces and improve the local environment.

Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Impact

The plantation initiative also aligns with the growing focus on green destinations and sustainable tourism. Greater vegetation and community-led conservation can enhance the visual appeal and environmental quality of rural and urban destinations.

For hospitality and tourism businesses, stronger local environmental initiatives can support destination branding around eco-tourism, responsible travel and nature-based experiences, while reinforcing the importance of long-term stewardship of tourism landscapes.