Panchkula: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini Tuesday planted saplings at the Apple Market in Pinjore and flagged off four LED vans under the Van Chetna Yatra 2026 campaign.The vans will travel across Haryana to promote tree plantation and spread awareness about environmental conservation. During the programme, the chief minister also distributed certificates to participants of the Thapli Nature Camp.Saini announced that 1,000 youths would be included under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana and said a special officer would be appointed in the chief minister’s office to address youth-related issues.He also announced that Tikkar Taal in Morni would be developed as a mountaineering training centre on the lines of Manali, along with the required supporting infrastructure. In addition, he promised a dedicated power substation for the Pinjore Apple Market, parking facilities and enhanced police security for vehicles transporting apples from Himachal Pradesh.Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini said people should respect Mother Earth just as they honour their biological mother. He urged citizens to plant at least one tree and motivate others to do the same.The chief minister said the state govt’s Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme provides annual assistance of Rs 3,000 for the maintenance of trees over 75 years old.Forests, environment, industries and wildlife minister Rao Narbir Singh said Haryana’s new Industrial Policy is yielding positive results. He said the state aims to attract investments worth Rs 5-6 lakh crore and has already received proposals exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, which would generate large-scale employment opportunities for youth.
