Harela Parv-2023

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Harela festival organized by the Forest Department at Maharana Pratap Sports College, International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Dehradun.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured schools and van panchayats who have made commendable efforts towards environmental protection.
• Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said that a target has been set to plant eight lakh saplings in the state this year on the occasion of Harela festival. This campaign will run till August 15.
• He said that apart from planting saplings, special attention should also be paid towards their conservation. The Forest Inspector of the sector in which the success rate of trees will be the highest, will be honored.
• Chief Conservator of Forests Anoop Malik said that on August 15, 75-75 saplings would be planted in 1750 villages. He appealed to all the residents of the state to work unitedly for the protection of the environment and plant saplings and post selfies with plants, so that we can tell our future generations what contribution we have made towards environmental protection.
• In the program, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is a naturally rich state. The Harela festival here is a symbol of happiness, prosperity, peace, environment and nature conservation. This festival is a festival of social harmony and also an indicator of season change. Harela is one such festival, which deepens our closeness to nature.
• The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has laid great emphasis on the circular economy as the circular economy has a big role to play in the field of water conservation. When treated water is reused, fresh water is conserved and the entire ecosystem is greatly benefited.