Uttarakhand observed its traditional Harela festival on 16 July with state-wide tree-planting campaigns anchored by the Forest Department and backed by initiatives launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Harela ka Tyohar Manao, Dharti Maa ka Rinn Chukao.” Forest officials said the department, in coordination with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, aims to plant about 500,000 medicinal, fruit-bearing and timber saplings across districts such as Dehradun, Haldwani and Almora. Separate drives were also conducted on police and school campuses to broaden community participation. State Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal called the effort a tribute to Mother Earth, while Union Minister Ajay Tamta opened the annual Sawan Mela at Jageshwar temple amid ongoing festivities. Authorities said the mass plantation is intended to improve green cover and reinforce public engagement in conservation.