Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Harela festival. He appealed to the people to respect nature like their ancestors and carry forward the tradition of saving it. CM said that we have to save water and life and conserve our traditional water sources.
Speaking to ANI, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister extended his best wishes for the Harela festival and appealed to the people to adopt the nature-loving traditions inherited from their ancestors. He said,
I extend my best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Harela. Harela festival has had great importance in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand since ancient times. Our ancestors have celebrated it as a festival to respect nature and promote its conservation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh stressed on protecting the state's natural resources amid growing concerns of climate change. He said that we should 'protect' nature and conserve our water sources. He said,
Today we face challenges like global warming; Weather cycles are no longer as expected. We are seeing drought in monsoon and rain during drought; Winters are getting warmer while summers are cooler – the entire natural cycle is changing. In times like these, it is very important that we conserve our water sources and protect nature.
CM Dhami further emphasized that it is the moral duty of the state to raise its voice for the entire planet, as it is the home of the Himalayas and the origin of major rivers like Ganga-Yamuna. He said, Uttarakhand is home to the Himalayas and sacred rivers like Ganga-Yamuna, and more than 70 percent of its land is covered with forests. This puts a special responsibility on us to give the message of saving the entire world from here.
Uttarakhand CM further said,
We should plant trees, save water and life, and conserve our traditional water sources like ponds, tanks and stepwells.
In Kumaon and Garhwal of Uttarakhand, Harela marks the beginning of monsoon and the month of Shravan. There are customs related to crops, greenery and environment.
Earlier on Tuesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took part in a massive plantation drive at Malgram in Yamkeshwar block of Pauri Garhwal district on the occasion of Harela festival. He planted a sapling to give the message of environmental protection and green Uttarakhand.
During his visit, Chief Minister Dhami visited Shri Dhanvantari Dham Herbal World Himalaya and reviewed the collection of rare medicinal plants, ongoing research activities and Ayurveda-based innovations there. He also inspected the meditation hut located in the campus. CM Dhami along with Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev also planted a sapling in the premises of Shri Dhanvantari Dham.
Let us tell you that Harela is a festival celebrated every year on 16th July in Uttarakhand. Since this day marks the beginning of Sawan, everyone is celebrating this festival in unique and special ways, whereas in other parts of the country this season has already arrived. This festival marks the beginning of greenery and a new season. It is also believed that Lord Shiva resides in Uttarakhand, hence the importance of this festival increases manifold.
