CM Dhami urges public to join ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, highlights environmental and safety measures

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday participated in a tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign at the Forestry Training Academy (FTI) campus in Haldwani.

The initiative aims to promote environmental conservation and encourage public participation.

Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami described the campaign as an inspirational movement that was launched last year under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This year too, this campaign is being run enthusiastically across the country,” he said.

The Chief Minister informed that the campaign was officially launched in Uttarakhand on the occasion of the Harela festival, with a record 8.13 lakh people planting saplings on the very first day. Emphasising the importance of the initiative, he said, “Nature conservation is our resolve,” and announced that the campaign would continue for an entire month across Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

He urged the public to participate actively during the holy month of Sawan, appealing to citizens to plant ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and contribute to protecting the environment.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami also expressed grief over the recent tragic incident at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple, calling it “extremely sad.” He assured that the state government had taken prompt measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

He said that safety and infrastructure are being strengthened at major religious sites across the state. “Priority is given to entry according to the caring capacity of devotees, possible expansion of space, parking, and traffic management, as well as adherence to safety standards,” he stated, adding that these steps will be enforced strictly, including at the Mansa Devi Temple.

The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of illegal encroachments in urban areas, stating that the administration is taking a firm stance. He has instructed concerned officials to identify and promptly remove illegal constructions.

“This step is not only necessary for the safety of public assets but is also crucial from the perspective of maintaining the pace of development projects and providing seamless facilities to citizens,” CM Dhami said.