Garhwal Post Bureau
Pantnagar, 9 Jul: Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, has resolved to celebrate the Harela Festival as a “Green Yajna” by organising a large-scale tree plantation drive across the university campus and its off-campus centres from 16 to 31 July 2026.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Dr Shivendra Kumar Kashyap in the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Hall, attended by all Deans, Directors, and representatives of various organisations located within the university campus.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Kashyap said that Harela is not merely a ceremonial festival but a celebration of humanity’s responsibility towards nature and Mother Earth. He urged every member of the university community to actively participate in this “Green Yajna” at both individual and institutional levels. He emphasised that the objective is not only to plant trees but also to ensure their protection and long-term conservation for creating a greener and cleaner campus. Plantation targets and responsibilities were assigned to different departments and organisations.
Chief General Manager (Farm), Dr Rajesh Pratap Singh, stated that large-scale plantation of forestry species would be carried out along both sides of roads in the university farm area. In addition, plantation under the agroforestry programme would be completed over nearly 100 acres by next month. He also stated that the State Bank of India, Pantnagar Branch, is providing financial assistance for the purchase of saplings and 500 tree guards.
Director, Extension Education, Dr Jitendra Kwatra, said that all nine Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under the university will also organise the “Green Yajna” by undertaking plantation drives in adopted villages with the participation of local representatives and farmers.
Director, Research, Dr SK Verma announced that commercial tree species would be planted along the boundary walls of various research stations, including newly established research centres. Dean, Student Welfare, Dr VC Dhyani, added that plantation activities would also be undertaken in all university hostels with the active participation of students and NCC cadets.
The meeting was attended by BS Chalal, Director, Administration & Monitoring; Rashmi Mittal, Chief Manager, State Bank of India, Pantnagar Branch; Manoj Kumar Gupta, President, Green Earth Mission; Girija Shankar Shukla, Vice President; Tumul Srivastava, Secretary, Green Earth Mission; principals and managers of Pantnagar Inter College, Campus School and Bal Nilayam School; representatives of Punjab National Bank and UCO Bank; and Deepak Deupa, President, Pantnagar Traders’ Association.
The programme was conducted by Dr Rajesh Pratap Singh, Chief General Manager (Farm), who also proposed the vote of thanks.
