Governor joins plantation drive in Shimla’s Mashobra block

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla participated in a plantation programme organised on Monday at Sipur in Mashobra block of Shimla district. The event was organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Forest Department.

Addressing participants, the Governor said the ongoing natural calamities are a reminder of the urgent need to restore balance with nature. He said unchecked deforestation, pollution of water resources and unplanned development are making the planet increasingly vulnerable.

Hailing Himachal Pradesh as a true ‘Devbhoomi’, the Governor praised its lush green valleys, snow-clad peaks and pristine water streams. However, he expressed concern over the state’s increasing exposure to natural disasters in recent years, including landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts.

He emphasised plantation is not merely an environmental initiative but a life-saving responsibility. “When we plant a sapling, it safeguards soil, conserves water and purifies the air for generations to come,” he said.