Chandigarh, August 14
Under the leadership Justice Deepak Sibal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA), a State-wide Mega Tree Plantation Drive undertaken by this Authority, in collaboration with the Forest Department, Haryana, concluded successfully with the plantation of an impressive 15,17,985 trees across the State. The plantation drive was launched on the occasion of World Environment Day by Justice Deepak Sibal with the objective of promoting environmental conservation and strengthening public participation in the protection of the environment. The campaign had initially envisaged plantation of approximately 15 lakh trees across Haryana during the monsoon season. The target was not only achieved but surpassed, with 15,17,985 trees planted across the State.
Justice Sibal emphasized the vital importance of environmental conservation and highlighted the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in creating a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come. He underscored that the success of a plantation drive cannot be measured merely by the number of saplings planted; rather, their protection, maintenance and nurturing are equally essential to ensure their healthy growth and long-term survival. It was further emphasized that the plantation targets fixed by the District Legal Services Authorities should be realistic, achievable and commensurate with the availability of adequate arrangements for the protection, maintenance and regular care of the planted saplings, so as to ensure that the plantation efforts translate into sustainable and lasting environmental benefits.
Under the initiative, all the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) of Haryana undertook plantation activities in Court Complexes, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres, Judicial Residential Complexes and other suitable public places, in coordination with the Forest Department and other stakeholders. Emphasis was laid on planting indigenous, medicinal, fruit-bearing and shade-giving species, along with ensuring proper care, protection and maintenance of the saplings for their long-term survival.
The successful completion of the drive reflects the concerted efforts of the DLSAs, judicial officers, staff, Forest Department officials, volunteers and other stakeholders who contributed towards making the campaign a State-wide environmental movement.
The achievement of planting 15,17,985 trees across Haryana marks a significant milestone in HALSA’s commitment towards environmental protection and demonstrates the potential of coordinated institutional efforts in addressing issues of ecological sustainability and public welfare.
