Mathura: The Mathura district administration has stepped up preparations for the Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan-2026, with a district-wide plantation campaign scheduled for 12 July 2026. The large-scale environmental initiative will be monitored in real time through an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), similar to the monitoring mechanism used during elections.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh reviewed the preparations during a high-level meeting and directed all departments to complete arrangements on a priority basis to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.
District Administration Targets Large-Scale Plantation
The District Magistrate instructed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Block Development Officers (BDOs), Executive Officers and other departmental officials to identify and prepare large “Model Plantation Sites” well before the scheduled plantation drive.
According to the district administration, plantations will be carried out at playgrounds, Amrit Sarovars, roadsides, sewage treatment plants (STPs), schools, colleges, universities, industrial areas, parks, mandi premises, hospitals, canal banks, the Braj Parikrama route and along the Yamuna river.
Native and Shade-Giving Trees to Be Prioritised
The plantation campaign will focus on environmentally significant species such as Banyan (Bargad), Peepal, Neem, Jamun, Pakad, Gulmohar, Palash and Ashoka, along with various fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees.
The administration has also appealed for active participation from government departments, educational institutions, voluntary organisations and residents under the slogan “Let’s Bring Back the Greenery of Braj.”
Miyawaki Forests to Be Developed as ‘Ladli Van’
Chief Development Officer Dr. Pooja Gupta directed departmental officials to identify suitable locations where the Miyawaki plantation technique can be implemented. These high-density plantation sites will be developed as “Ladli Van” to promote long-term ecological sustainability.
EOC to Monitor Every Plantation Site
For the first time, the plantation drive will be monitored through an Integrated Control Room/Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). The control room will track the progress of plantation activities across every site in real time, enabling district authorities to monitor implementation throughout the campaign.
Officials have also been instructed to ensure timely lifting of saplings, completion of pit digging and geo-tagging of plantation sites through the Haritima Amrit Van App as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
More Than 3.3 Million Saplings Targeted
The revised plantation target for the monsoon season in Mathura district has been fixed at 3,325,200 saplings. Of these, the Forest Department has been assigned a target of 468,000 saplings.
Divisional Forest Officer Venkat Srikar Patel informed the meeting that sufficient saplings are available and that the campaign will be implemented with active support from government departments, non-government organisations and social institutions.
District Magistrate Appeals for Public Participation
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh urged citizens, elected representatives, educational institutions and community organisations to actively participate in the plantation campaign.
“Planting a tree alone is not enough. Protecting and nurturing it is our collective responsibility,” the District Magistrate said while appealing to people to contribute towards making Mathura greener.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Development Officer Dr. Pooja Gupta, DFO Venkat Srikar Patel, Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, District Development Officer Garima Khare, Deputy Commissioner MGNREGA Vijay Kumar Pandey, tehsildars, naib tehsildars and Block Development Officers.
