Sankalp Parva - Plantation Of Trees

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for all employees to plant atleast five trees in their office campus or wherever possible, to ensure a clean and healthy environment of the country. Following this, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State, Culture and Tourism (Independent charge), decided to celebrate the Sankalp Parva between June 28, and July 12, 2020. 

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the objectives and significance of the Sankalp Parva and IAS Exam aspirants must also carefully go through the key points regarding the same. 

Sankalp Parva [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

About Sankalp Parva

• The Ministry of Culture decided to celebrate Sankalp Parva from June 28 to July 12, 2020, where all its Subordinate Offices, Academies, Attached Institutions, Affiliated Institutions were expected to plant trees in their campus or the surrounding areas
• There were five plants that were identified by the Prime Minister to represent the herbal heritage of our country. These included:
  • Bargad
  • Awla
  • Pepal
  • Ashok
  • Bel
• The Ministry expected each of its employee to plant a tree and also take care of it so that it nourishes and flourishes in the future
• Every participant was also requested to share photographs with the Ministry of Culture with #SankalpParva

Significance of Sankalp Parva

In the year 2020, while the entire world was fighting the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, it was only nature that was healing. Thus, to continue having a healthy environment, this initiative was taken.

The herbal and culturally rich plants which were recommended to be grown would also promote a greener and healthier “Bharat”.

Aspirants can also refer to the links below:

Other Initiatives for Tree Plantation

Apart from Sankalp Parva, there are many other initiatives that have been taken by the Government and other concerned authorities for the plantation of trees and a greener India. Discussed below are a few such initiatives:

• In July 2020, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Tree Plantation Campaign “Vriksharopan Abhiyan” of the Ministry of Coal. The tree plantation campaign was conducted at more than 130 locations spread in 38 Districts of 10 coal/lignite bearing States. The foundation of 6 Eco parks/Tourism sites were also laid
• On June 5, 2020 (World Environment Day), the government announced the implementation of the Nagar Van Scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the coming five years with a renewed focus on people’s participation and collaboration between the Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens 
• Two afforestation schemes/campaigns, namely, National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme and National Mission for a Green India (GIM) were launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2017 to achieve the targets mentioned in the National Forest Policy to maintain 33% forest and tree cover in the country
• In view of the National Forest Policy, the Maharashtra Forest Department celebrated Vanmohotsav between July 1 to July 7, 2017, as a major plantation drive. Around 4 crore trees were planted in this state-wise drive with the involvement of 33 government departments along with Students of Schools and Colleges, NSS, NCC, CSR, NGOs, Railways, National Highways, Defence, NABARD and other stakeholders of Society
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act was passed in 2016 to manage the funds collected for compensatory afforestation which till then was managed by Ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

Sankalp Parva [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

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