PNS
Ranchi
In a historic and innovative move towards environmental conservation, green development, and the preservat
ion of Jharkhand’s cultural heritage, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is organizing the “Sakhua Mahotsav-2026” for the first time.
This festival aims to transform the conservation, nurturing, and large-scale plantation of the Sakhua tree—a symbol of Jharkhand’s culture, traditions, and public faith—into a mass movement. It will be conducted over several months, starting in August.
To ensure the festival’s success and widespread public participation, a crucial meeting was held on Monday at the RMC auditorium. Presided over by Mayor Roshni Khalkho, the meeting was attended by representatives from various social, religious, educational, and voluntary organizations across the city.
Detailed discussions were held on key aspects such as the festival’s action plan, selection of plantation sites, effective campaign execution across wards, plant protection, public awareness programs, the involvement of voluntary organizations, and active citizen participation. All participating organizations pledged to turn this environmental initiative into a mass movement and to engage as many citizens as possible.
Addressing the meeting, Khalkho said that the RMC’s objective goes beyond mere plantation; it aims to ensure the protection and nurturing of every sapling planted. She noted that the Sakhua tree is an integral symbol of Jharkhand’s identity, culture, traditions, nature, and the faith of the tribal community. Beyond its immense environmental importance, the tree also represents the State’s cultural heritage.
The Mayor announced that the festival would be inaugurated in August at the premises of the historic and religiously significant Ikkiso Mahadev Temple in Chutia. Subsequently, Sakhua saplings will be planted in a phased manner across various wards of the municipal area, as well as at government and non-government institutions, schools, colleges, parks, public spaces, roadside areas, religious sites, and other designated locations.
Khalko highlighted that a key feature of this campaign would be the measures taken to protect and nurture every single sapling planted. Arrangements will be made to install protective structures to safeguard the plants from animals and other external threats, thereby ensuring their healthy growth. The Municipal Corporation will also establish a system for regular monitoring and maintenance so that the plantation drive does not remain a mere formality but yields long-term environmental benefits.
Urging city residents, youth, students, women’s groups, social and religious organizations, voluntary bodies, corporate entities, and environmental enthusiasts to participate enthusiastically in this campaign, the Mayor said that if every citizen pledges to plant and nurture a sapling, Ranchi could become one of the country’s greenest and most eco-friendly cities in the coming years.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Mayor Neeraj Kumar remarked that the “Sakhua Mahotsav-2026” launched by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation is not merely a tree-plantation program but a comprehensive public campaign aimed at ensuring a clean, healthy, and balanced environment for future generations.
During the meeting, representatives from various social, religious, and voluntary organizations, as well as women’s groups, presented their suggestions. Everyone pledged to garner widespread public support for the campaign.
