DW BUREAU / Gurugram "Hariyali Mahotsav" was organized by the Haryana Forest Department on Friday. The celebration of Haryali Mahotsav was in the spirit of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav". Hariyali Mahotsav was celebrated by undertaking plantation at 3 Nagar Van sites, that are to be made in Haryana in collaboration with Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), New Delhi. The three Nagar Van sites in Haryana lie in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal Districts. In Gurugram district, the Nagar Van is to be made in village Ghata in an area of about 60 hectares. A programme to mark the Hariyali Mahotsav was organized at Ghata Nagar Van site in district Gurugram. Voluntary Organizations, School Children and local citizens besides officials from Haryana Forest Department also participated enthusiastically in the Hariyali Mahotsav at village Ghata and planted saplings in the Nagar Van. On the occasion the school children were also distributed with fruit plants. In addition to Nagar Van at Ghata, plantation drives with people participation were undertaken at 4 other sites namely Village Sirmathla, Village Damdama, Village Rithoj and Village Mehchana in district Gurugram today. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana, Sh. Jagdish Chander, said that "Hariyali Mahotsav" was organized today to create awareness about the importance of trees not only for the life of present generation but also for the future of our upcoming generations. Trees form the most essential components of our environment. Out of all elements found on this planet, trees account for the sustainability of a large portion of the environment. All forms of life depend on their direct and indirect needs on the resources provided by trees. Since life runs on the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen, trees are inherent to our survival. Trees play extremely important role in mitigating adverse effects of climate change. He said that this Mahotsav is perceived as an effective tool to instill enthusiasm among the people living in major cities of the state of Haryana. This "Hariyali Mahotsav" programme was celebrated across the country as it was announced by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in recognition of the crucial role of Forest/Greenery in maintaining the ecological balance and providing many ecosystem services to the planet. As part of Hariyali Mahotsav, ceremonial plantations were undertaken at 75 Nagar Van sites across the country. The plantation drives being undertaken at these 75 Nagar Vans from all over the Country were live streamed to MoEF&CC at Talkatora Stadium where Hariyali Mahotsav was organized at central level. Sh. Chander informed that Hariyali Mahotsav 2022 was organized by Forest Department, Haryana in collaboration with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi for undertaking plantation drives on the occasion. Ceremonial Plantation was organized at three Nagar Van sites- Ghata in Gurugram, HPGCL, Sector-22, Ballabgrah in Faridabad and Palwal Protected Forest area in Palwal District. In addition to plantation at Nagar Van sites, plantation drives were undertaken at 75 other sites in all the districts of Haryana. In this Hariyali Mahotsav , Sh. Jagdish Chander, was the Chief Guest. The event was graced by eminent citizens Vice Chancellor, Sushant University, Dr. Rakesh Ranjan, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sushant University, Dr. Sanjiv Kr. Sharma, Councellor, MCG, Sh. Mahesh Dayama. Senior officials from the Forest Department, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forestry), Haryana, Sh. Suresh Dalal, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (B&P), Haryana, Sh. Kailash Chand Meena, and Chief Conservator of Forests, South Circle, Gurugram, Smt. Vasvi Tyagi, along with all dignitaries and Field Staff of Forest Department participated in the Hariyali Mahotsav programme organized at Ghata Nagar Van site. (editor@dailyworld.in)