Shivraj Singh Chouhan Plants Trees at Central Ridge on Hariyali Amavasya
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan joined a large-scale tree plantation drive at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, New Delhi on Hariyali Amavasya — the monsoon new moon traditionally linked to greenery — continuing India's decades-long practice of weaving cultural observances into afforestation policy.
Key Takeaways
Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in the Vrihad Vriksharopan (large-scale tree plantation) event on August 12, 2026 .
The event was held at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, New Delhi , a protected urban forest reserve.
Hariyali Amavasya , the new moon of the Hindu month of Shravan, is traditionally associated with tree planting and greenery.
India's festival-linked afforestation tradition dates to Van Mahotsav , launched in 1950 by K.M.
Such ministerial drives support national green-cover expansion and India's climate commitments.
On the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Amavasya, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan joined a large-scale tree plantation drive at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, New Delhi on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — where culture and conservation met under the monsoon sky.
Where tradition roots itself in the capital's green lung
Hariyali Amavasya — the new moon of the Hindu month of Shravan — carries a centuries-old association with greenery and renewal. Observed each monsoon season, the day is traditionally marked by communities planting saplings as an act of devotion and ecological care. Central Ridge, the forested spine running through New Delhi, was the setting for this year's Vrihad Vriksharopan (large-scale tree plantation) event — a fitting backdrop for a drive that blends ritual with urban ecology. Chouhan participated in the programme, posting on X: 'हरियाली अमावस्या के पावन अवसर पर पीबीजी ग्राउंड, सेंट्रल रिज, नई दिल्ली में आयोजित वृहद वृक्षारोपण कार्यक्रम में सहभागिता।' — 'Participated in the grand tree plantation programme organised at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, New Delhi on the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Amavasya.'A tradition older than independence — and still growing
India's formal culture of festival-linked afforestation has deep roots. Van Mahotsav, the annual nationwide tree-planting festival, was launched as far back as 1950 by then-Agriculture Minister K.M. Munshi to drive afforestation at scale. Over seven decades later, ministerial participation in plantation drives tied to cultural calendars remains a live instrument of policy — weaving public enthusiasm into national green-cover targets and India's broader climate commitments. Central Ridge, maintained as an ecological reserve within the capital, represents exactly the kind of urban green infrastructure these drives aim to protect and expand. Delhi residents and environmental volunteers form the backbone of such community-led efforts. The real test, as always, will come in the months that follow — in the survival rates of saplings planted today, and whether this drive feeds into measurable targets from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. A sapling in the ground is a promise; the canopy it becomes is the answer.Point of View
Such visible, ground-level engagement also reinforces a 'man of the people' image distinct from purely administrative roles. The broader arc here is India's sustained effort to align traditional ecological knowledge with modern climate policy, using cultural moments as mobilisation tools. Whether these drives translate into measurable canopy gains depends on institutional follow-through well beyond the photo opportunity.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hariyali Amavasya and why is it significant for tree planting?
Hariyali Amavasya is the new moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, falling during the monsoon season. It is traditionally associated with greenery and nature, making it a culturally auspicious occasion for planting trees across India.
Where is Central Ridge in New Delhi?
Central Ridge is a forested ridge running through New Delhi, maintained as an ecological reserve and urban green lung for the capital. It is one of the key green spaces protected within the city.
What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan do on Hariyali Amavasya 2026?
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in a large-scale tree plantation programme called Vrihad Vriksharopan at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, New Delhi on August 12, 2026.
What is Van Mahotsav and how does it relate to such plantation drives?
Van Mahotsav is India's annual nationwide tree-planting festival, launched in 1950 by then-Agriculture Minister K.M. Munshi. It established the tradition of organised, large-scale afforestation drives that continues to inform festival-linked plantation events today.
Who is Shivraj Singh Chouhan?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a senior BJP leader serving as Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development. He is a former four-term Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, one of the longest-serving CMs in the state's history.
