Mission Dhara 2026 Launches Mass Afforestation Drive in Uttarakhand
Source:garhwalpost ↗
Why It Matters
Uttarakhand PCS Prelims regularly tests students on local environmental movements (such as the Maiti Movement, Chipko Movement) and famous conservationists of the state like Kalyan Singh Rawat, Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, and Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi. Understanding public-private afforestation programs like Mission Dhara 2026 is critical for questions on climate resilience and forest cover.
Summary
On World Environment Day (June 5, 2026), AntarMan Parivar, Let Me Care Foundation, and Sampann Seva Sankalp Foundation launched 'Mission Dhara 2026' in Uttarakhand. Dedicated to the memory of the state's legendary 'Tree Man' Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, the campaign aims to plant 100,000 trees across the state to boost afforestation, enhance ecological resilience, and protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The launch event in Dehradun featured renowned environmentalist Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi and Municipal Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, IAS, who stressed the importance of community-led environmental preservation.
Key Points
- Launch of Mission Dhara 2026: An ambitious environmental campaign aiming to plant 100,000 trees across Uttarakhand, launched on World Environment Day (June 5, 2026).
- Key Organizers and Supporters: The campaign is initiated by AntarMan Parivar (founded by Sushma Bacheti) in collaboration with Let Me Care Foundation, with principal support from Sampann Seva Sankalp Foundation.
- Honoring Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani: The drive is dedicated to the legacy of Uttarakhand's legendary 'Tree Man', Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, who spent his life planting millions of trees in the region.
- Sustained Civil Action: AntarMan Parivar has previously planted nearly 15,000 trees annually over the past three years.
- Prominent Figures in Attendance: Renowned environmentalist Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi (founder of HESCO and Padma Bhushan awardee) and Alok Kumar Pandey, IAS (Municipal Commissioner) graced the event and highlighted community leadership in battling climate challenges.
- Campaign Mantra: Under the slogan 'Save Tree, Save Future', the movement encourages citizens to actively nurture and protect existing green cover, combating deforestation in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Important Terms
Mission Dhara 2026
An ambitious afforestation campaign launched in June 2026 in Uttarakhand, aiming to plant 100,000 trees to restore the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and boost ecological resilience.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Ecology and Environment); tests understanding of community-led afforestation, mountain ecosystem conservation, and climate change mitigation strategies.
Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani
Renowned as the 'Tree Man' (Vriksha Manav) of Uttarakhand, he was a legendary freedom fighter and conservationist who single-handedly planted over 50 lakh trees in Tehri Garhwal.
UPSC context
GS Paper I & III (Modern History, Environment); tests knowledge of regional environmental movements and grassroots conservation pioneers in India.
Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi
A distinguished environmentalist and founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) who conceptualized the Gross Environmental Product (GEP) index for ecological growth.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment and Economy); tests understanding of sustainable development, inclusive growth indicators, and social forestry in mountain regions.
AntarMan Parivar
A social organization in Uttarakhand that spearheads regional environmental and social welfare initiatives, notably executing massive annual afforestation drives like Mission Dhara 2026.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Role of NGOs/Civil Society); tests comprehension of civil society's role in local governance and environmental stewardship.
Let Me Care Foundation
An environmental non-governmental organization focused on cleanliness drives, waste management, and collaborative local climate action campaigns in the Himalayan regions.
UPSC context
GS Paper II & III (NGOs, Environmental Pollution); highlights the significance of youth-led community action in municipal environmental management.
Sampann Seva Sankalp Foundation
A philanthropic and social impact organization that serves as a key financial and strategic supporter for sustainable development and ecological restoration initiatives.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Sustainable Development/Resource Mobilization); examines the role of private/NGO partnerships in funding and scaling ecological initiatives.
Prelims Trap
Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, known as the Forest Man of India, founded the Chamoli Maiti Movement.
Saklani is the 'Tree Man' (Vriksha Manav). Jadav Payeng is the 'Forest Man of India'. Kalyan Singh Rawat founded the Maiti Movement.
Static Concepts Connected
What is Gross Environmental Product (GEP) and how does it differ from Green GDP?
- GEP definition: GEP quantifies the value of ecosystem services (forests, water, soil, air) provided by an area annually to assess ecological health.
- Contrast with Green GDP: Green GDP subtracts environmental degradation costs from traditional GDP, while GEP directly measures and values positive ecological contributions.
- Pioneering policy: Uttarakhand became the first Indian state in 2021 to officially measure GEP alongside GDP to guide developmental planning.
What is the Maiti Movement and how does it drive community conservation?
- Origin and concept: Started in Chamoli, Uttarakhand in 1995, it involves a bride planting a sapling that her parental family ('maiti') protects.
- Socio-cultural success: It leverages emotional bonds and local women's groups, resulting in highly cost-effective and sustained survival rates for newly planted trees.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Socio-ecological movements vs CAMPA
Contrasts the high survival rates of community-led, emotionally rooted initiatives like Maiti with state-driven, target-based plantation drives under Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA).
GEP and mountain infrastructure resilience
Integrates ecological accounting (GEP) with hill-state development policies, showing how pricing forest/soil ecosystems can prevent disasters like land subsidence in Joshimath.
UPSC may test Gross Environmental Product (GEP) metrics alongside Green GDP, utilizing Uttarakhand's pioneering adoption as a case study.
Linked PYQs · 3
Linked PYQs · 3
- 2021UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Who initiated the 'Maiti Movement' in Uttarakhand?
- 2024UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Who started the "Maiti Movement" for plantation ?
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the options given below : Statement 1 : Uttarakhand is highly vulnerable to climate change. Statement 2 : Climate change is causing water stress and depleting biodiversity in Uttarakhand.
