The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Harela, the traditional Kumaoni festival marking the onset of monsoon, and called on citizens to plant trees in large numbers as an act of environmental responsibility.

Context

In a message issued on the eve of Harela, CM Dhami described the festival as one that 'expresses gratitude to nature and carries the message of folk culture and environmental conservation, inspiring us to remain connected to our traditions' (yah parv prakriti ke prati kritagyata pradarshit karne tatha lok sanskriti evam paryavaran sanrakshan ka sandesh deta hai). He emphasised that folk festivals are also markers of the state's cultural heritage.

Dhami noted that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand holds a distinct identity rooted in spirituality and a rich cultural legacy, and that its natural beauty and biodiversity attract people from across the country and beyond. He argued that this very richness makes the state's responsibility toward environmental protection all the greater.

Policy Backdrop

The Chief Minister specifically cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign, launched in 2024, as having successfully spread public awareness about tree plantation across society. The national campaign encouraged citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers, linking personal sentiment with ecological duty.

Dhami announced that the state's Van Evam Udyan Vibhag (Forest and Garden Department) has prepared an effective action plan to conduct large-scale tree plantation drives across both urban and rural areas of Uttarakhand on the occasion of Harela. He stressed that tree planting has now become 'a matter connected to public sentiment alongside social responsibility.'

Stakeholders and Impact

The Chief Minister's appeal was directed at all residents of Uttarakhand, urging them to contribute to environmental conservation by planting as many trees as possible. He also made a specific call to social organisations and institutions to extend their active cooperation in this effort, describing public participation as crucial to its success.

Dhami added that the initiative would help motivate future generations to stay connected to their traditions and fulfil their responsibilities toward nature conservation — framing tree planting not merely as a policy exercise but as a cultural and intergenerational obligation. The revival and conservation of water sources, rivers, and streams (gad-gaderon) was also highlighted as an ongoing priority for the state.

What's Next

The Forest and Garden Department's plantation drive, timed to coincide with Harela on 16 July 2026, will serve as the immediate test of this mobilisation effort. The scale of participation by social organisations and community groups, and the long-term survival rate of saplings planted, will determine the measurable impact of this year's drive.

Uttarakhand's approach of embedding environmental drives within living cultural festivals like Harela reflects a broader national pattern of using community occasions to advance afforestation goals in ecologically sensitive Himalayan zones — a model that policymakers are watching closely for replication across other hill states.