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RNZ News
4 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Harela celebrations focus on environmental sustainability
A couple dressed in traditional Uttarakhand attire attend the Herala festival in Auckland. Photo: Supplied/Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand More than 250 people celebrated the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand's annual Harela festival in Auckland's New Lynn on 19 July. Uttarakhand is a state located in the Himalayas in northern India that is also known as Dev Bhoomi in Hindi, or "Land of the Gods". Chetan Joshi, president of the association, said the festival was deeply rooted in the culture, spirituality and natural heritage of his state. "Harela, which means 'Day of Green', is more than just a harvest festival. It is a celebration of renewal, prosperity and harmony with nature," Joshi said. "In Uttarakhand, it marks the onset of the monsoon, the sowing season and a spiritual reminder that our lives are deeply connected to the cycles of the Earth. "It is a day when families plant saplings, bless their children for a prosperous future and pray for environmental balance and abundance." Joshi, who was instrumental in establishing the association more than a decade ago, said the festival helps "keep the flame of rich Uttarakhandi traditions alive while also embracing the diversity and inclusivity that Aotearoa represents". In India, the festival has both religious and agrarian connotations. Communities in the Himalayas set up clay idols of Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati to celebrate their divine union. Devotees pray to the couple for a good harvest and environmental harmony. In line with the festival's green ethos, several tree plantation drives were initiated to mark the occasion. "Our communities have been celebrating this festival for at least the last 300 years," Joshi said. "Every year, here in New Zealand, the Indian community gathers at this time and renew its commitment to sustainable living, cultural preservation and community bonding."
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand plants record 8.13 Lakh saplings as part of 'Harela' festival
DEHRADUN: 8,13,000 saplings were planted across Uttarakhand as the traditional Harela festival transformed into a massive green movement, marking a historic environmental milestone for the Himalayan state. "This festival demonstrates that Uttarakhand is not merely a Himalayan state, but a symbol of a conscious and active society dedicated to protecting its water, forests, and land," Chief Minister Dhami stated, underscoring the state's commitment to ecological balance. "What was once a simple cultural celebration has now become a powerful, people-driven campaign for ecological conservation," added CM Dhami. Dhami further elaborated on the state's guiding philosophy, adding, "The state government is moving forward by balancing development and faith, and environmental protection is an integral part of our primary policy." Noting the evolving significance of the festival, the Chief Minister declared, "Harela is no longer merely a cultural festival; it has become a celebration of the collective consciousness of the people of Uttarakhand." Chief Minister Dhami himself inaugurated the drive in Dehradun, emphasising his vision for it to be a "people's green movement" rather than solely a government undertaking. Thousands of planting events were subsequently organised across all 13 districts, spanning villages, towns, cities, and schools. "The seeds being sown today are symbols of greenery, hope, faith, and sustainable development. In the coming years, these very seeds will form the foundation for a green, prosperous, and environmentally sensitive Uttarakhand," asserted CM Dhami.
The Print
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Uttarakhand sets record with over 8.13 lakh saplings planted on Harela festival
Plantation programmes were held at thousands of locations — including villages, towns, cities, schools, Anganwadi centres — with active participation from the local administration, forest department, NGOs, women's groups, and youth. According to a government release, the plantation drive was aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which Chief Minister Dhami expanded into a broader initiative with the slogan 'Celebrate the festival of Harela, repay the debt of Mother Earth.' Over 8,13,000 saplings were planted across all 13 districts of the state, making it the largest such plantation effort in Uttarakhand during a single festival, the release said. Dehradun, Jul 16 (PTI) Uttarakhand created a new record on Wednesday by planting over 8.13 lakh saplings across the state on the occasion of the Harela festival, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launching the campaign by planting a Rudraksh sapling. The state had initially set a target of planting five lakh saplings for Harela this year. In comparison, around two lakh saplings were planted on Harela in 2016. Speaking at a plantation programme at the Gorkha Military Inter College campus here, Dhami said Harela is not just a festival but an emotion rooted in Uttarakhand's culture, nature and environmental consciousness. It reminds citizens of their duty toward protecting nature, he added. 'This is not just a figure of saplings planted, but a living example of collective effort, reflecting our commitment to environmental protection,' he said. He emphasised that planting trees is only the beginning. 'We must nurture the saplings like our own children to ensure they grow into lush green trees,' Dhami said. He added that 50 per cent of the saplings planted in each forest division this year will be fruit-bearing trees. Highlighting environmental challenges like climate change, uncontrolled development, and resource exploitation, Dhami said a collective effort is required to restore ecological balance. He also informed that the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA) has helped conserve over 6,500 water sources and collect 3.12 million cubic metres of rainwater in the state. The state has also imposed a complete ban on single-use plastic and made dustbins mandatory in vehicles, he said. The chief minister called upon people to plant saplings on special occasions in their lives and nurture them, turning environmental protection into a mass movement. State Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, who was also present at the event, said the survival rate of saplings planted during Harela over the past three years has been over 80 per cent. PTI DPT HIG HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Harela festival kicks off with target to plant 5 lakh saplings
Dehradun: The Harela festival, a traditional celebration rooted in the agricultural heritage of Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, began on Wednesday. Symbolising prosperity, fertility and the onset of the sowing season, this year's festivities continue with the theme 'ek paed maa ke naam' (plant a tree in Mother Earth's name) — a call to repay our debt to nature by planting trees. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the festival by planting a Rudraksh sapling at the Gorkha Military Intermediate College in Dehradun. He also distributed soil health cards for 24 forest divisions, developed by the Forest Research Institute. Highlighting the state's environmental initiatives, Dhami said, "Through the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), over 6,500 water sources have been conserved and 3.12 million cubic meters of rainwater harvested." The state forest department has set a target of planting at least five lakh saplings during the festival — three lakh in Garhwal and two lakh in Kumaon — across 2,400 designated sites. Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said the state has maintained a nearly 80% sapling survival rate over the past three years. Principal chief conservator of forests Samir Sinha said by Wednesday, at least 8.13 lakh saplings had been planted. Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi also announced that the agriculture and horticulture departments aim to plant 15 lakh fruit tree saplings.
