Chhattisgarh, a state that is famous for its unique culture that reflects its tribal traditions and ancient heritage, is also rich environmentally. Its very culture shares a great love and deep connection with nature. As the world sits up to take timely note and interventions on environmental issues forecasting the threat of global environmental depletion, the capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, is also joining in.
The district administration of Raipur has prepared a roadmap for enabling all possible solutions to deal with threats to the environment. With this in view, they launched the ‘Har Ghar Hariyali Abhiyan’ (greenery in every house) scheme on the first Monday of the holy Shravan month. Under this campaign, saplings were given to the people through door-to-door delivery in large numbers in both urban and rural areas, with guidelines on how to plant them and take care of them.
Indian Masterminds interacted with 2011-batch IAS officer Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure, who is the District Collector of Raipur, to know more about this initiative.
NOW GREENERY IN EVERY HOME
‘Har Ghar Hariyali Abhiyan’ scheme’s basic purpose is to harmonize people with the spirit of environmental conservation. People planted three and a half lakhs saplings in their homes, fields, and vacant land in the district on the day of its launch.
CM Bhupesh Baghel emphasized on systematic monitoring of the scheme by visiting the local areas and reviving plant conservation in collaboration with the common people. He personally planted a Rudraksh plant in the CM House. His ministers also planted saplings in their residences, and plantation was also observed at the District Court and other government offices. It is a personal appeal of CM Baghel that this monsoon, greenery must reach every house to make ‘Har Ghar Hariyali Abhiyan’ a great success.
The green initiative focuses largely on efficient promotion and creating awareness among people about plantation on a phenomenal level in the state. Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure said, “This would not only strengthen our family bonding but will also be an invaluable contribution towards environmental protection. I appeal to the common citizens, especially the young generation, to take advantage of this scheme and plant at least one sapling each in the name of their friends and loved ones, and also take good care of them.”
Mr. Bhure himself planted saplings at his house in Kachna, and after that, he reached his office and planted saplings along with the district administration staff at the Collectorate premises. On behalf of the district administration, saplings were planted in the municipal corporation premises, panchayat and all government offices of the district, too.
ANYBODY CAN PLANT
Mr. Bhure said that the Municipal Corporation of Raipur, along with the Forest and Horticulture Department, provide a home-delivery of plants service to the people. Mobile numbers have also been issued by the Nagar Nigam, on which any citizen of the district can call and ask for his sapling to be delivered at home, or may go and personally collect the same from designated distribution centres.
Under this campaign, plant species like Neem, Gulmohar, Dashmat flower, Guava, Papaya, Mango, Arjun, Karanj, Badam, Munga etc., were planted. Plantation of fruit and shaded plants was especially done in public places, government buildings, schools, industries, Anganwadi centres, and residential areas.
Collector Bhure said, “We have begun this campaign at the very beginning of the monsoon in view of the most compatible climatic conditions to develop these plants. This campaign will not only increase the green cover of Raipur but will also prepare a roadmap to fight the problem of pollution in the future, with common people, especially the young generation, showing an enthusiastic participation in the same.”
OPTION TO CHOOSE
It is often observed in normal plantation programmes that although saplings are planted, eventually, care of the plants is not taken, resulting in majority of such plants failing to grow beyond a time. However, an increased concern plus enthusiasm for environmental conservation has been witnessed among the people of Raipur, and they are coming in good numbers to take home saplings.
To avoid neglect of the saplings, 28 different varieties of shade-giving, flowering and fruit bearing plants have been prepared. These include Neem, Gulmohar, Dashmat flower, Guava, Papaya, Mango, Arjun, Karanj, Badam, Munga, etc. People were given the option of choosing the species of plant they are acquainted with, and which they can nurture and would like to grow in their residential premises. Appropriate awareness tips and information regarding gardening and specific information about the particular plant species is also provided to them.
OATH TAKING
Furthermore, in order to ensure that these plants are not distributed merely for namesake and they are actually taken care of so that they mature into big trees, the people who receive these plants are also administered an oath by the Raipur district administration that the plants shall be duly taken care of by them and their family, and that they will give their honest contribution to make this campaign a success by nurturing their saplings.
