Rajasthan

• 28 Mar 2025

Green Rajasthan Campaign

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan government has set a target of planting 10 crore trees in the financial year 2025-26 under the "Hariyalo Rajasthan Abhiyan" . 

Key Points 

• About the campaign: 
  • The Hariyalo Rajasthan campaign was launched on 7th August 2024 on the occasion of  Hariyali Teej . 
  • The Chief Minister of the state launched this campaign by planting a Peepal tree at Gahota in Dudu district . 
  • Inspired by the ' Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, the state government has set a target of  planting 50 crore saplings in the next five years under 'Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan' . 
  • Under this, 7 crore saplings were planted in the year 2024-25 . 
• Objective
  • Making Rajasthan green and expanding the forest area . 
  • Protecting the environment and maintaining climate balance . 
  • Conservation of biodiversity and creating a better ecosystem for wildlife . 
  • To make tree plantation a mass movement by ensuring participation of local communities . 
  • Preventing desertification and promoting soil conservation .  

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign 

• About: 
  • This is a special nationwide tree plantation drive, launched by the Prime Minister on the occasion of World Environment Day on  5th June 2024 . 
  • Under this campaign, people are encouraged to plant a tree as a symbol of love, respect and honour towards their mother and also take a pledge to protect the trees and Mother Earth.  
• Objective: 
  • The aim of this campaign is to prevent land erosion and ensure ecological restoration of degraded lands . 
  • Apart from this, environmental protection and green cover have to be promoted. 
  • It aims to plant 80 crore trees by September 2024 and 140 crore trees by March 2025 
• Strategy:  
  • The campaign is based on the concept of “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” , which encourages collective efforts to revitalize India's green cover through active participation of citizens, communities and local administration. 

Anasagar Lake

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court ordered the Rajasthan government to remove the Seven Wonders and Food Court built on the banks of Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer. 

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  • The Supreme Court has directed Seven Wonders Park to be demolished or shifted to another location within six months , while the food court has been ordered to be completely demolished by 7th April 2025. 
  • Additionally, the court clarified that the amount of new wetlands damaged in the city area must be developed. 
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had also taken a tough stand on damaging the wetland area of the lake.  
• Petition 
  • A former councilor of Ajmer had raised objections regarding illegal construction on the banks of Ana Sagar Lake. 
    • He alleged that this construction was done in disregard of the wetland area and the master plan.  
  • Regarding this, he had filed a petition in NGT, after which orders were issued to remove the construction in August 2023. 
  • The Ajmer Development Authority appealed against these orders in the Supreme Court in January 2024.  

Anasagar Lake  

• Located in Ajmer, it is an artificial lake , built by Prithviraj Chauhan's father Arunoraj or Anaaji Chauhan in the middle of the twelfth century (1135-1150 AD).  
  • Due to being constructed by Aanaji, this lake was named Aana Sagar or Ana Sagar 
• The Ana Sagar lake is spread over an area of about 13 km. 
• Later, the Mughal ruler Jahangir built Daulat Bagh , also known as  Subhash Udyan , in the courtyard of the lake . 
• Shah Jahan constructed a marble Baradari (pavilion) around it in 1637 AD , which further enhances the beauty of the lake. 
• Ana Sagar Lake, besides being the main water source of Ajmer, plays an important role in the conservation of local biodiversity and migratory birds.