A week long ‘Harela festival’ would be celebrated in all the schools of State from July 16. The Secretary Education, D Senthil Pandiyan has directed the top officials of department to get geared up for the Harela festival which is to be celebrated in all the schools of State for a week from July 16 onwards and necessary instructions have been given to the schools. The State horticulture and forest departments would provide the seeds and saplings to the schools in this endeavor.
The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Dehradun, S P Khali said that the school heads would inform about the importance of trees and benefits of plantation in the Morning Prayer meetings during the week. He added that essay and debates on the topics of environment conservation and need for afforestation would be held. The students would be guided to plant saplings in their schools and surroundings areas. The department would be organise painting, essay writing and poetry competitions on the theme of environment protection and the need to preserve local culture.
The decision of the department is in sync with the declaration of CM Harish Rawat that traditional festivals like Harela, Jhumelo and Ghee Sangrand would be celebrated in the State.