Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform environmental conservation into a nationwide people’s movement through the ‘Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan’, urging every citizen to plant at least one tree annually and inspire five others to join the campaign.
Addressing nearly 17,000 ‘Vriksh Mitra’ volunteers from across the country during the Environment Protection Resolve Programme and Vriksh Mitra Samvad at the Pusa Complex in New Delhi, Chouhan outlined a comprehensive strategy to promote tree plantation, environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles through community participation.
The event was attended by Padma Bhushan awardee and environmentalist Anil Joshi, noted physician and social worker Dr. Anoop Hazela, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, along with hundreds of environmental volunteers, while thousands participated virtually.
Calling climate change a direct threat to humanity, Chouhan said environmental protection must become a way of life rather than a one-time campaign. He stressed that every family should plant a tree on occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, the birth of a child and in memory of parents, converting these celebrations into “Tree Festivals.”
The Union Minister proposed the formation of a ‘Vriksh Mitra Parivar’, with organisational units at the national, state, district, block and village levels to coordinate plantation drives and ensure long-term care of saplings. He said the campaign would also establish designated plantation sites in panchayats and urban local bodies, where government programmes and public events would begin with tree plantation.
Chouhan said that a massive nationwide plantation drive would be organised on Hariyali Amavasya on August 12, with volunteers across the country planting trees simultaneously. He expressed hope that the occasion would evolve into a national “Tree Festival” celebrating environmental conservation.
Emphasising that planting trees alone is not enough, Chouhan said their protection and nurturing must become a collective responsibility. He suggested that every panchayat identify dedicated plantation sites while urban local bodies create permanent green spaces where saplings can be maintained through community participation.
The Minister also linked environmental conservation with the future of Indian agriculture, highlighting the need to protect water resources, restore soil fertility and promote balanced farming practices. He warned that indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and excessive use of chemicals threaten both agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.
Calling for wider adoption of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), Chouhan urged citizens to conserve energy and water, reduce plastic usage, segregate waste and adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles. He said small behavioural changes, such as using energy-efficient appliances, avoiding single-use plastics and preventing water wastage, could collectively make a significant difference.
Environmentalist Anil Joshi praised Chouhan’s sustained commitment to environmental conservation, describing the initiative as a long-term movement rather than a symbolic plantation campaign. He revealed that researchers from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are undertaking scientific studies to assess the environmental impact of Chouhan’s plantation initiatives using remote sensing and other technologies.
Dr. Anoop Hazela stressed the importance of behavioural change in tackling climate change and advocated the concept of “Plant One Tree, Adopt One Tree,” encouraging even those without access to land to take responsibility for nurturing existing trees. He also highlighted the need for energy conservation, water recycling and reduced plastic consumption as essential measures for sustainable development.
The Union Minister said the success of the campaign would depend on sustained public participation and expressed confidence that the ‘Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan’ would strengthen India’s environmental movement while contributing to the vision of a greener and more sustainable future.
