Rajasthan Chief Minister has highlighted the success of the state government’s flagship environmental campaign, “Haryalo Rajasthan” (Green Rajasthan), stating that nearly 90 percent of the saplings planted under the initiative have survived. The announcement reflects a significant achievement for the state’s large-scale afforestation and environmental conservation efforts, especially in a region known for its arid climate and water scarcity.

Speaking on the progress of the initiative, the Chief Minister emphasised that the high survival rate demonstrates effective planning, proper monitoring, and active participation from local communities. Unlike earlier plantation drives that often focused only on the number of saplings planted, Haryalo Rajasthan places strong emphasis on post-plantation care, including regular watering, fencing, and community responsibility to ensure long-term survival.

The Haryalo Rajasthan initiative aims to increase green cover across urban and rural areas by planting native and climate-resilient species. Schools, government offices, public lands, roadsides, and village commons have been identified as key plantation sites. The programme also encourages people’s participation, making tree protection a shared responsibility rather than solely a government task.

Alongside afforestation, the Chief Minister urged citizens to adopt household-level water conservation practices, calling water saving an essential pillar of environmental protection. He stressed that tree plantation and water conservation must go hand in hand, particularly in a state like Rajasthan where groundwater levels are under constant pressure due to low rainfall and high demand.

The appeal included simple yet effective measures such as rainwater harvesting, reuse of household wastewater for gardening, fixing leakages, and avoiding unnecessary water wastage. According to the Chief Minister, collective small efforts at the household level can create a large impact when adopted by millions of people across the state.

Officials associated with the programme noted that improved survival rates were achieved through better coordination between forest departments, local bodies, and village institutions. Regular audits, geo-tagging of plantation sites, and community monitoring have also helped ensure accountability. In many areas, local residents and school students have been assigned the responsibility of nurturing saplings, strengthening emotional and social connections with the initiative.

Environmental experts see Haryalo Rajasthan as a model for sustainable afforestation in water-scarce regions. They point out that focusing on native species, ensuring adequate water management, and involving communities are critical factors behind the programme’s success.

The Chief Minister reiterated that environmental protection is not limited to government policies alone but requires active public participation. He called upon citizens to treat water and trees as shared natural assets and contribute consciously to preserving them for future generations.

With encouraging results from Haryalo Rajasthan and renewed emphasis on water conservation, the state government aims to strengthen Rajasthan’s resilience against climate change, desertification, and ecological degradation, while setting an example for other states facing similar environmental challenges.