Over 1 lakh saplings planted in Chandigarh’s largest single-day drive

In one of the largest and most significant environmental events in the city, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria today led a massive tree plantation drive on the occasion of Van Mahotsav.

In a single day, a total of 1,17,836 saplings were planted at 318 locations, against the target of 1,05,874 saplings at 253 identified sites. From the bustling city centres to the quiet residential sectors, parks, institutional campuses and road dividers, the City Beautiful witnessed the spirit of environmental awareness with officials, students, volunteers and citizens taking part in the drive. The Governor himself planted saplings at 23 locations.

In his address, Kataria called upon every citizen to treat the occasion not as an annual ritual, but as a pledge towards the well-being of the Earth. “Van Mahotsav is not merely about planting trees, it is about planting hope, balance and the future itself. This is not an event, it is a green movement — the one reach every household, school and institution in the city,” he said.

Recalling the profound words of literary legend Munshi Premchand — “Vrikshon ka arth hai jal, jal se roti aur roti se hi jeevan” — Kataria emphasised that the survival of human life was intricately linked to the existence of trees. “Without trees, there can be no rain, no river, no fertile land, and no future,” he said.

The Governor said over 15 billion trees were lost each year worldwide, equivalent to the destruction of 40 football fields of forest every second. “These are not just numbers but urgent signals from a wounded planet. We must act now and act with conviction,” he said.

Chandigarh has a remarkable 51.54% green cover.

The Administrator also inaugurated three major environmental policy frameworks during the event — The Greening Chandigarh Action Plan, The State Action Plan on Climate Change and The Chandigarh Tree Map.

In his address, the Governor also spoke about India’s deep-rooted cultural reverence for trees. “From the Vedas to the Puranas, from Peepal to Neem and Tulsi, trees have been seen not merely as part of nature but as divine entities, central to our health, our environment and our spiritual traditions,” he said.

Tree plantation in Sector 27

City BJP vice-president Devinder Singh Babla launched a tree plantation drive in ward number 10 as part of Van Mahotsav organised by the Municipal Corporation. Nearly 1,000 saplings will be planted in the ward, including Sectors 27, and 29, during the drive.

Chandigarh