Source: PIB
Context:
Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a nationwide initiative to transform the Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan into a mass movement for environmental conservation through public participation.
About Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan
What is it?
The Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan is a nationwide people-led environmental movement that encourages every citizen to plant, protect, and nurture trees while promoting sustainable lifestyles, water conservation, soil health, and climate action.
Objective
- Transform tree plantation into a nationwide social movement.
- Increase public participation in environmental conservation.
- Promote sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and climate resilience.
- Support the objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Key Features
- Tree on Every Auspicious Occasion: Every family is encouraged to plant a tree on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, birth of children, and in memory of parents, making tree planting a lifelong social tradition.
- “One Tree, Five Companions” Pledge: Every Vriksh Mitra should plant at least one tree every year and motivate five more people to join the campaign.
- Vriksh Mitra Pariwar: A structured network will be created from the national, state, district, block, and village levels to coordinate plantation and monitoring activities.
- Hariyali Amavasya Tree Festival: A nationwide plantation drive will be organised on Hariyali Amavasya (12 August) to celebrate tree planting as a national festival.
- Designated Plantation Sites: Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies will identify dedicated plantation sites and ensure long-term protection and maintenance of planted trees.
- Link with Government Schemes: Plantation will be integrated with schemes such as PM Gram Sadak Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, and other Agriculture and Rural Development programmes.
- Focus on Sustainable Agriculture: Encourages balanced use of water and chemicals, soil conservation, and environmentally sustainable farming practices.
- Mission LiFE Integration: Promotes energy conservation, water saving, waste segregation, plastic-free living, and adoption of sustainable lifestyles.
