In a progressive step towards ecological restoration and inclusive development, the Himachal Pradesh government launched the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana on June 2, 2025, from Hamirpur. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the initiative, which is poised to enhance forest cover, empower local communities, and provide sustainable employment opportunities.

A Dual-Focus Approach: Ecology and Employment

The Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana is a visionary scheme designed to rehabilitate barren and degraded forest lands by planting fruit-bearing trees, thereby enriching the green cover and generating long-term benefits for both the environment and the economy.

Key Objectives:

• Increase forest cover through community-led fruit tree plantations.
• Promote sustainable livelihoods by involving local institutions such as Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Encourage grassroots participation in climate action by ensuring people’s stake in ecological stewardship.

Community Involvement and Employment Generation

A standout feature of the scheme is the inclusion of local communities in the plantation and maintenance processes. Under the scheme:

• Participating groups are paid for five years for both planting and upkeep of the saplings.
• Certificates of participation were awarded to Amlehad and Bhawdan Mahila Mandals of Nadaun for undertaking plantation on 2 hectares each, symbolising the model’s community-centric ethos.

This structure not only helps protect and regenerate forest ecosystems but also ensures income support, particularly benefiting women and youth in rural areas.

Green Adoption Scheme: Corporate Involvement in Environmental Stewardship

Alongside the Van Samvardhan Yojana, the government also introduced the Green Adoption Scheme, aiming to promote corporate participation in afforestation efforts.

Notable Participating Corporations:

• Ambuja Company: Adopted 25 hectares
• Adani Foundation: Adopted 10 hectares
• UltraTech: Adopted 10 hectares

These companies received certificates of recognition, setting an example of public-private collaboration in addressing environmental degradation.

Van Mitra Cadre: Addressing Manpower Gaps in Forest Protection

Acknowledging the shortage of field-level forest staff, the government inducted a new cadre called Van Mitras.

• A passing-out parade was conducted for the newly appointed personnel.
• Selection was merit-based, and many women were among the recruits, indicating a conscious push towards gender parity.
• The Chief Minister also assured policy support for the professional growth of Van Mitras in the forestry sector.

Empowering Women Through Policy

The government’s broader commitment to gender-inclusive governance is reflected through:

• 30% reservation for women in police recruitment.
• All-women administration in Lahaul-Spiti, where key positions such as Deputy Commissioner are held by women.

These actions align with a transformative approach where environmental conservation is not viewed in isolation, but as a platform for empowering women, strengthening local governance, and promoting sustainable development.

Conclusion

The Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, coupled with the Green Adoption Scheme and Van Mitra induction, represents a holistic model of sustainable development. By integrating ecological objectives with employment generation and community empowerment, especially for women and youth, Himachal Pradesh is setting a precedent for other regions to emulate.

This initiative underscores the importance of localized climate action, gender-sensitive governance, and collaborative environmental management as the cornerstones of a resilient and inclusive future.