Harela festival has proved to be a damp squib in terms of plantation of saplings across Haridwar district. This is despite the fact that the State Government has sought to make it a people’s movement by going for announcements with fanfare to boost the plantation drive.
It may be mentioned that the traditional festival of Hariyali (Harela) was observed from July 10 to 18 as linked with the Mera Vriksh Mera Dhan Yojna, the Chief Minister’s pet project. State government announced that in each district, the minister in -charge, parliamentary secretary in- charge and secretary in- charge would plant saplings in one village of each district. Similarly, the DM, CDO, SDM, DFO, CMO, BDO and VDO would also plant trees in a village in the district, it was decided. It was also said that tree plantation campaign would be undertaken in each Gram Sabha under the Mera Vriksh Mera Dhan (MVMD) (My Tree My Money) scheme with one Government officer being deputed to each gram panchayat to monitor things.
Sources said Van Vikas Nigam sows about one lakh seeds in the nursery during the rainy season every year, the season being considered conducive for plantation. However, sources said hardly a thousand saplings have been planted so far this season despite the much-hyped Harela festival. The record of the district officials including the gazetted officers across the district is even worse.
As per MVMD scheme, the responsibility of protecting the trees that include fodder species, Malta, Mahuwa, Walnut, Pangal and Gooseberry, rests with the planters for three years. The planter would be paid Rs 300 per tree with a bonus on every 100 trees if the trees are found secure these three years after plantation. Besides, the department concerned would provide the saplings free of cost. Only women would be allowed to take part in Harela competition and the winner will be rewarded with Rs500. But the response on the part of the officials is dismal with hardly any officer taking the pains to monitor things.
As per sources, a handful among the higher-ups like the Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Haridwar MP Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal and Principal Secretary Radha Raturi participated in the plantation drive with the enthusiasm befitting the spirit of the festival.