76th District-Level Van Mahotsav Celebrated on Ratnagiri Hill

Udaipur, Marking the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Teej and reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the 76th District-Level Van Mahotsav was organized at Ratnagiri Hill in Bhuvana, Udaipur, where 650 saplings were planted in a unified effort by public representatives, government officials, school children, and citizens.

This local celebration paralleled the state-level Van Mahotsav held in Jaipur under the chief patronage of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, where every district in Rajasthan participated by planting “One Tree in the Name of Mother”, turning a symbolic gesture into a statewide green movement.

Jointly organized by the Udaipur Development Authority (UDA) and the Forest Department, the event saw nature lending its support through intermittent drizzles and showers, adding grace to the green cause.

Leaders Speak: A Green Pledge for Rajasthan

Addressing the gathering, Udaipur Rural MLA Phool Singh Meena shared that this campaign has been inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call and is being powerfully led in Rajasthan under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to ensure a green future for the state.

District-in-Charge Secretary T. Ravikant said the tagline “One Tree in Mother’s Name, One Pledge for Life” beautifully encapsulates the spirit of a greener Rajasthan.

District Collector Namit Mehta suggested that Ratnagiri Hill, being centrally located and now flourishing with greenery, should be developed into a Smriti Van (Memorial Forest) where people can plant saplings in memory of loved ones or on special occasions.

UDA Commissioner Rahul Jain highlighted that the hill, once barren, has now been developed as an oxygen pocket for the city through dedicated afforestation and infrastructure planning.

Prominent attendees included Divisional Commissioner Pragya Kewalramani, Zila Parishad CEO Ria Dabi, Deputy Conservators of Forests Mukesh Saini and Ajay Chittora, UDA Secretary Hemendra Nagar, Chief Engineer Sanjeev Sharma, Superintending Engineer Anit Mathur, and Bhuvana Sarpanch Mohanlal, along with other officials, employees, and school students. The event was gracefully hosted by Rajendra Sen.

Ratnagiri’s Green Transformation: From Barren to Breathing

Ratnagiri Hill, once a barren expanse, has undergone a remarkable transformation. As shared by MLA Phool Singh Meena, the initiative began under the guidance of Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, when the then UIT (now UDA) undertook the responsibility of greening the area.

Spread across 20 hectares, the hill was cleared and secured after the relocation of 18 families. A 1000-meter-long boundary wall was constructed to preserve the plantation site. Initially, 2,100 saplings were planted, followed by another 5,000, and eventually, the number swelled to a total of 35,000 trees.

The development also included walking trails, toilet blocks, and a baradari (pavilion), with a drip irrigation system installed to ensure proper watering of the plants. The result is a thriving green haven that now enhances the city’s landscape and offers a serene, eco-friendly escape to citizens.

The 76th Van Mahotsav at Ratnagiri was more than an event — it was a shared environmental pledge, a tribute to motherhood, and a celebration of nature’s power to renew and restore.