CM flags off four LED vans under Van Chetna Yatra-2026 to spread the message of environmental conservation across Haryana
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Indian culture has always taught us to respect and protect nature. Protecting the environment is deeply embedded in our traditions, values and responsibilities. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, he said environmental conservation must be transformed into a people’s movement.
The Chief Minister was addressing a Youth Interaction and Tree Plantation Programme as the Chief Guest at the Apple Market in Pinjore, Panchkula. Earlier, accompanied by Forests, Environment and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh, the Chief Minister planted saplings at the Apple Market and flagged off four LED vans under Van Chetna Yatra-2026. These vans will travel across all districts of Haryana to encourage citizens to plant more trees and spread awareness about environmental conservation. During the programme, the Chief Minister also presented certificates to the youth who participated in the Thapli Nature Camp. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana and MLA Shakti Rani Sharma were also present.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that 1,000 youth would be included under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana. He also announced the appointment of a Special Officer in the Chief Minister’s Office to address issues concerning youth. He assured that Tikkar Taal in Morni would be developed as a mountaineering training centre on the lines of Manali, along with strengthening its supporting infrastructure. He further announced a dedicated electricity substation for the Pinjore Apple Market, as well as parking facilities and additional police security for vehicles bringing apples from Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said planting a sapling is easy, but nurturing it into a tree is a much greater responsibility. He urged every young person to plant and care for at least one sapling on their birthday, their parents’ birthdays or any special occasion, adding that such a collective effort would make Haryana greener.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said just as we honour our biological mother, we must also respect Mother Earth, who nurtures and sustains us. He called upon every citizen to plant at least one tree for Mother Earth and inspire others to do the same.
He emphasised that development and environmental conservation are not contradictory but complementary. Haryana’s development, he said, must be sustainable, protect natural resources, secure the future of coming generations and maintain ecological balance while ensuring economic progress. Expressing happiness at interacting with the youth amid the natural surroundings of Pinjore, the Chief Minister said the programme reflected a unique confluence of youth empowerment, environmental conservation and nation-building.
He said the Thapli Nature Camp had given young participants an opportunity to closely experience nature, and these youth would now become ambassadors of environmental awareness in society. He also appreciated the efforts of hundreds of environmental enthusiasts who have inspired others through tree plantation drives.
The Chief Minister said that a youth who understands and values his heritage becomes a strong architect of the future. He said India’s vision of becoming a developed nation can only be realised through the energy, discipline, purpose and social responsibility of its youth.
Pran Vayu Devta Pension Yojana Launched
The Chief Minister said the government has launched the Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme for trees that are more than 75 years old. Under the scheme, financial assistance of ₹3,000 per tree per year is being provided for their care and maintenance. He said such old trees deserve gratitude and special protection for the invaluable environmental services they provide.
He further said the state government has initiated the establishment of Oxy-Vans over an area ranging from 5 to 100 acres at every district headquarters to make Haryana greener. These Oxy-Vans will include facilities such as walking tracks and cycling tracks. While the Oxy-Van at Karnal has already been completed, work is in progress in Panchkula.
The Chief Minister said that under the Panchvati initiative, tree plantation is being undertaken in every village to promote natural oxygen generation. Panchvati gardens are also being developed at 134 pilgrimage sites within the 48-kos Kurukshetra circuit. Other initiatives such as Shehar Gaon Pedon Ki Chhaon, Har Ghar Hariyali and Paudhgiri are also being implemented across the state. In addition, one youth from every village has been designated as a Vriksh Mitra to encourage tree conservation.
He said 53 Herbal Parks have been established across Haryana for the conservation of medicinal plants and biodiversity. An international-level medicinal forest has also been developed in the Morni region. He added that Sultanpur National Park and Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary have received international recognition as Ramsar Sites.
The Chief Minister urged every young person to plant at least one tree every year and take responsibility for nurturing it until it matures. He also appealed to youth to actively contribute towards keeping their surroundings clean, conserving every drop of water, participating in the Drug-Free Haryana Campaign, and dedicating themselves to nation-building.
He said the determination to contribute positively to society would make the youth great and would become the strongest force in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat–Viksit Haryana.
Positive results of the New Industrial Policy: Rao Narbir Singh
Forests, Environment, Industries and Wildlife Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh said that every citizen should plant and nurture at least two trees to improve the environment. He said extensive tree plantation is essential to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and to create a cleaner and greener environment.
He said the state government has introduced provisions for skill development and industrial training to improve employment opportunities for youth.
The Minister further said Haryana’s new Industrial Policy is yielding encouraging results. The policy aims to attract investments worth ₹5 lakh crore to ₹6 lakh crore, of which investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore have already been received. He said increased industrialisation would create large-scale employment opportunities for the youth of the state.
Among those present on the occasion were former Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Shyam Lal Bansal, Executive Vice Chairman of the Haryana Shivalik Development Board Om Prakash Devinagar, OSD to the Chief Minister B.B. Batra, Rakesh Sandhu, senior officers, and representatives of the Forest Department, ITBP, CRPF, school students and volunteers, all of whom also participated in the tree plantation drive.
