
Review last year's tree plantation status: Haryana chief secy
: Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi has said that under the state government's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, (EPMKN 2.0) green initiative, 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach will be adopted.
The chief secretary reviewed the state's action plan in a meeting with senior officials and discussed the strategies to align the campaign with key national missions while the forest department said that 1.81 crore saplings are available for this year's plantation drive across 200 government nurseries in 22 districts.
Rastogi also directed a thorough review of last year's plantations to ensure their sustained upkeep and growth and sought a report in this regard.
Additional chief secretary (ACS-environment, forests and wildlife) Anand Mohan Sharan said that last year 1.87 crore saplings were planted with over 52 lakh in urban areas and about 135 lakh in rural regions. The campaign saw the participation of 51 government departments and lakhs of citizens, reflecting Haryana's strong commitment to climate action, he said.
Meanwhile, the chief secretary stated that this year the campaign will align closely with national flagship schemes such as MGNREGA, Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, and the National Green Highways Mission.
The 2025-26 campaign will place a major emphasis on massive plantation activities by involving youth and students.
In addition to schools, the state forest department (SFD), urban local bodies, and the horticulture, public works, and HSVP departments, along with community organisations and volunteers, will actively participate in the plantation drives. These activities will target riverbanks, canal bunds, Amrit Sarovars, and other water bodies, in line with this year's 'Catch the Rain 2025' theme under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan.
To ensure effective on-ground implementation, Rastogi instructed deputy commissioners to form district plantation committees. These committees will be responsible for identifying plantation sites, assessing land availability, preparing plant demand, and finalising coordination plans.
Each department at the district level has been asked to submit data on available lands suitable for plantation and to collaborate closely with nurseries to meet sapling requirements. They were also directed to prepare a plan regarding the aftercare of planted saplings under the scheme.
Haryana lokayukta to conduct proceedings via video conferencing
The Haryana government on Monday said that the state Lokayukta will now adopt video conferencing (VC) facilities to hold the proceedings of the cases.
This is a part of a broader state government initiative aimed at leveraging audio-visual electronic means for all official interactions, aligning with new central criminal laws and Supreme Court guidelines, a government spokesperson said.
Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi has issued a letter in this regard to all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, board/corporation managing directors, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners etc to ensure compliance of the new instructions.
The spokesperson said that the decision to integrate VC facilities is rooted in the enabling provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Section 336 (Evidence of public servants, experts, police officers in certain cases) and Section 530 (Trial and proceedings to be held in electronic mode) explicitly promote the use of audio-visual electronic means for all proceedings.
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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Review last year's tree plantation status: Haryana chief secy
: Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi has said that under the state government's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, (EPMKN 2.0) green initiative, 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach will be adopted. The chief secretary reviewed the state's action plan in a meeting with senior officials and discussed the strategies to align the campaign with key national missions while the forest department said that 1.81 crore saplings are available for this year's plantation drive across 200 government nurseries in 22 districts. Rastogi also directed a thorough review of last year's plantations to ensure their sustained upkeep and growth and sought a report in this regard. Additional chief secretary (ACS-environment, forests and wildlife) Anand Mohan Sharan said that last year 1.87 crore saplings were planted with over 52 lakh in urban areas and about 135 lakh in rural regions. The campaign saw the participation of 51 government departments and lakhs of citizens, reflecting Haryana's strong commitment to climate action, he said. Meanwhile, the chief secretary stated that this year the campaign will align closely with national flagship schemes such as MGNREGA, Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, and the National Green Highways Mission. The 2025-26 campaign will place a major emphasis on massive plantation activities by involving youth and students. In addition to schools, the state forest department (SFD), urban local bodies, and the horticulture, public works, and HSVP departments, along with community organisations and volunteers, will actively participate in the plantation drives. These activities will target riverbanks, canal bunds, Amrit Sarovars, and other water bodies, in line with this year's 'Catch the Rain 2025' theme under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan. To ensure effective on-ground implementation, Rastogi instructed deputy commissioners to form district plantation committees. These committees will be responsible for identifying plantation sites, assessing land availability, preparing plant demand, and finalising coordination plans. Each department at the district level has been asked to submit data on available lands suitable for plantation and to collaborate closely with nurseries to meet sapling requirements. They were also directed to prepare a plan regarding the aftercare of planted saplings under the scheme. Haryana lokayukta to conduct proceedings via video conferencing The Haryana government on Monday said that the state Lokayukta will now adopt video conferencing (VC) facilities to hold the proceedings of the cases. This is a part of a broader state government initiative aimed at leveraging audio-visual electronic means for all official interactions, aligning with new central criminal laws and Supreme Court guidelines, a government spokesperson said. Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi has issued a letter in this regard to all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, board/corporation managing directors, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners etc to ensure compliance of the new instructions. The spokesperson said that the decision to integrate VC facilities is rooted in the enabling provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 336 (Evidence of public servants, experts, police officers in certain cases) and Section 530 (Trial and proceedings to be held in electronic mode) explicitly promote the use of audio-visual electronic means for all proceedings.


Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Volunteers hold a 4-hour placard vigil every day on Padil–BC Road to curb waste dumping
Mangaluru: In a unique citizen-driven initiative, volunteers have united under the campaign 'Swachategagi Nammondige Neevu, Nimmondige Naavu' to combat the growing issue of waste dumping along the national highway from Padil to BC Road. Launched on World Environment Day, the campaign is a collaborative effort by the Dakshina Kannada district administration, zilla panchayat, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), and the gram panchayats of Adyar, Pudu, Thumbe, and Kallige, along with Hasiru Dala, a social impact organisation. Last year, for more than three months, from 5.30am to 9.30am, Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, project manager at Hasiru Dala, stood holding placards at Adyar, urging citizens to stop dumping waste by the roadside, reminding them that it could eventually pollute the Nethravati River. He took up a similar exercise in 2021 when he stood for over three hours daily near the Kallapu stretch of the Nethravati bridge with a similar appeal. He told TOI, "Despite such efforts, illegal dumping between Padil and BC Road worsened, with 20 to 30 black spots identified. Concerned over the growing menace, Anchan approached zilla panchayat deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Raikod. Jayalakshmi is taking the lead in this campaign and has launched 'Waste Dumping Control Squad'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo These squads, comprising gram panchayat members and Hasiru Dala volunteers, are now stationed at black spots every morning, holding placards and discouraging irresponsible waste disposal. So far, about 20 teams have been formed with support from local panchayats, in addition to a Hasiru Dala team. Plans are also in place to involve schools, youth clubs, and community organisations, encouraging them to dedicate at least one day to the cause. The campaign will continue for the next three months." Anchan said volunteers are also documenting reasons cited by offenders for dumping waste. "Eventually, if violations persist, the panchayat will begin imposing fines. We are hopeful of reducing roadside dumping by at least 90%," he added. The team is also considering deploying volunteers from 8pm to 11pm, a period identified as peak time for illegal dumping. MP takes note The campaign drew attention from Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, who spotted Nagaraj with a placard at Arkula on Friday evening. In a post on X, the MP wrote, "In a world where everyone talks of problems, there are few who take it upon themselves to be part of the solution. Glad to have met Nagraj, who was standing by the roadside at Arkula, holding a placard urging people not to throw garbage by the roadside. More power to such thoughtful citizens who are ensuring Swachh Bharat, as envisioned by our Prime Minister is a reality by relentlessly pursuing it. "The MP said that NH development works are expected to be taken up on this stretch soon and assured him of his support in getting the area cleaned.


New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Water supply to get a leg-up as works of 2K ponds nearing end
VIRUDHUNAGAR: The construction of 1,809 new ponds at an estimated cost of Rs 176.21 crore across the district — a water conservation measure taken up to improve drinking water supply and irrigation, especially across semi-arid regions — has been nearing completion, with works already wrapped up for 1,512 ponds. As dryland agriculture is predominant in the district, a decline in rainfall over the years has forced an alarming number of residents in the eastern parts of the district, which faces severe drought, to abandon farming. Besides, the residents heavily rely on seasonal rainfall for the supply of drinking water, making tanks and ponds crucial, especially in the semi-arid regions. District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) sources said that to save rainwater and recharge the groundwater table, suitable locations were identified across all the blocks for building new ponds before the onset of monsoon. 'Initially, low-lying areas where rainwater naturally accumulates were identified, also considering their proximity to farmland or areas in need of irrigation. Further, areas prone to pollution were neglected,' sources said. Further, MGNREGA workers have been roped in to construct new ponds, with the participation of local community people. The excavated soil is used for strengthening embankments to prevent erosion and lining the pond with clay or other materials to reduce seepage, ensuring long-term water storage.