Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday launched a unique programme named as ‘Paudhagiri Campaign’ to increase the green cover in the state.

Under the campaign, 22 lakh students studying in Class 6th to 12th of all government and private schools will plant a sapling each, during these three months of monsoon — July, August and September.

The CM launched the Paudhagiri campaign by planting a ‘maulsari’ sapling in Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex premises of Gurugram today.

Khattar told students about the positive effects of plantation on the environment and said that every student would get a sapling from the forest department and they can plant it either in the courtyard of their house, field or park or school or at any open space available in their proximity.

He said they could name the plant according to their likes, maybe after the name of great personalities of the country, freedom fighters or after the name of any of their family members or their ancestors. Every student planting a sapling would have to take care of it for next three years.

Khattar said that in every six months, the student is required to upload his selfie with his or her plant on the App and he or she will be given an incentive of Rs 50 in every six months from the government. Thus, student would get Rs 300 in next three years for looking after a sapling planted by him or her.

He said that in three years the sapling would come in a position to survive on its own and in 10 years it would start giving flowers, fruits, shade and also help in checking global warming. He said that this would also help in stabilising the environment which would improve the overall climatic conditions. He asked every student to associate with a plant or tree and take care of it like a child.

The CM reached amid the students and along with the students took a pledge of ‘Paudhagiri campaign’. Khattar appealed to the students to make trees their friends.

The Chief Minister also distributed plants to the students and flagged off the tractor trolleys carrying plants to various schools of the district.

On Sunday, about 3,100 students from various schools of the district participated in the launch of plantation drive.