Akali Dal split spurs double tree plantation drive in Punjab
Shiromani Akali Dal
has led unexpectedly to a silver lining for Punjab's environment - a doubling down on tree plantation efforts.
Both the official Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and a breakaway five-member dissident panel are pushing ahead with sapling plantation drives separately, honouring a directive from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs.
The Akal Takht had, on Dec 2, 2024, ordered the fractured factions of the over-century-old party to unite and restructure, while also mandating the planting of 1.25 lakh saplings between March 1 and April 30.
While unity remains elusive, both camps have taken the green pledge seriously. And with each faction determined to fulfil the target independently, Punjab is set to witness a plantation drive that could more than double the original goal.
On June 18, the dissident panel - comprising Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umedpur, Iqbal Singh Jhundan, and Satwant Kaur - launched its plantation campaign from Ludhiana.
SAD, meanwhile, began its official drive on Friday, with senior leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Hira Singh Gabhria planting saplings at the party headquarters in Chandigarh.
SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said: "We've instructed party workers to plant at least 1,100 saplings in each of Punjab's 117 assembly constituencies by the end of July.
The delay was necessary. April's extreme heat posed a threat to sapling survival. Even the forest department recommended waiting for monsoon rains." Cheema added that most saplings will be sourced from the forest department, with species selected to suit local conditions.
"We're encouraging planting in homes, schools, farms - anywhere they'll be nurtured and protected."
The dissident faction echoed similar sentiments. "We treat this as a mission," said Wadala. "The Akal Takht's directive was not just symbolic. It's about restoring Punjab's green cover. We will plant a mix of shady, ornamental, heritage, and fruit trees." While the two groups may remain estranged politically, their competition has, at least for now, translated into cooperative climate action - one tree at a time.
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