Love grows on trees for Bhiwani newlyweds

In an initiative to promote environmental awareness, Ashok Kumar Bhardwaj, a National Youth Awardee and an environmental crusader, has gifted over 1,300 saplings to newlyweds during their wedding ceremonies, encouraging them to pledge lifelong commitment to environmental protection.

This symbolic act is part of a broader movement spearheaded by his NGO, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Yuva Jagrit Seva Samiti, which has been actively promoting afforestation and ecological awareness since 1994.

To mark World Environment Day, Bhardwaj launched the ‘Har Ghar Hariyali Paudha’ initiative, under which 2,025 saplings will be planted in 2025 across Haryana and Rajasthan.

He believes auspicious occasions — weddings, birthdays and religious festivals — should carry the message of ecological responsibility.

He said over 5,000 saplings had been planted under the campaign so far.

“More than 70 per cent of the saplings have survived — possible only due to care and public participation,” he said.

He said while people were enthusiastic about planting trees, care to ensure the survival of the sapling was lacking.

Bhardwaj and his team have turned several public spaces — bus stands, schools, temples and parks — green.

His family plays an active role in his mission, with his wife, Anju Devi, and daughters, Navya and Aarohi, also leading efforts, embodying the “Ek Beti Ek Ped” mission.