Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s leadership in environment protection’s grand resolve: A new chapter of Green India through the people’s movement of Vriksh Mitra

Why in news

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan engaged in a dialogue with 'Vriksh Mitra' from across the country, emphasizing the resolve for Green India and calling for the 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan' to become a mass movement.

Exam relevance

GS3, GS2 · Environment & Ecology, Governance, Society · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for the 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan' to become a mass movement for Green India.
2. The campaign encourages planting a tree on every auspicious occasion.
3. A personal responsibility of 'Every year one tree and five new companions' was stressed to save the environment.
4. A 'Vriksh Mitra Parivar' will be established with a national structure, organizing campaigns from village to national level.
5. A massive nationwide plantation drive is planned on Hariyali Amavasya, aiming to turn it into a 'Tree Festival'.
6. Designated plantation sites are to be established in panchayats and urban local bodies, with a guarantee of protection for planted trees.
7. The initiative also focuses on water, soil, and balanced farming to secure future agriculture and farmers' lives.
8. The Union Minister appealed to integrate environment protection into daily habits through Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE, energy conservation, and plastic-free living.

Prelims pointers

• 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan' is envisioned as a mass movement for Green India.
• The campaign promotes planting a tree on every auspicious occasion.
• The concept of 'Every year one tree and five new companions' emphasizes personal environmental responsibility.
• 'Vriksh Mitra Parivar' is proposed to have a national structure for organized campaigns.
• Hariyali Amavasya is to be observed as a 'Tree Festival' with nationwide plantation.
• Panchayats and urban local bodies are to have designated plantation sites with protection guarantees.
• The initiative includes a focus on water, soil, and balanced farming.
• It promotes environment protection through Mission LiFE, energy conservation, and plastic-free living.

Mains practice question

Examine the role of public participation and decentralized initiatives, such as the 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan', in achieving India's environmental conservation goals. How can such movements be effectively integrated with national policies like Mission LiFE?

Static linkage

The initiative aligns with India's broader environmental conservation efforts, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the 'Green India Mission'. It also resonates with the concept of 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's participation) in governance and sustainable development, as well as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) which promotes pro-planet lifestyles.

Significance

The 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan' holds significance by promoting a people's movement for environmental protection, fostering a sense of collective and individual responsibility towards nature. By integrating tree plantation with auspicious occasions and establishing a national structure, it aims to institutionalize green practices at the grassroots level. The focus on designated plantation sites and tree protection ensures long-term impact. Furthermore, linking the initiative with water, soil, and balanced farming highlights an integrated approach to environmental and agricultural sustainability, crucial for climate change mitigation and securing livelihoods.