The identity of Rajasthan has been as a desert and water-stressed state for a long time, but now CM Bhajan Lal Sharma has resolved to change this image. Their leadership is not limiting environmental consciousness to policy alone, but is giving it the form of a people’s movement. Green, water conservation, clean energy and sustainable development are now at the top of Rajasthan’s governance priorities.
Rajasthan’s first green budget Balance of development and environment
Under the leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, the state government has made a historic beginning by presenting the first green budget of the state for the financial year 2025-26. In this budget, 11.34 percent of the total scheme expenditure of the state, i.e. Rs 27,854 crore, has been earmarked for projects related to green growth. The Government aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by 2030. For this, a five-year plan for climate adaptation is being prepared and a Centre of Excellence for Climate Change will be set up, which will strengthen environmental research and policy making.
Hariyalo Rajasthan Campaign: Environment Mission becomes a mass movement
Taking inspiration from the ‘Ek Vridh Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, the state government has launched the ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan’ campaign. More than 7 crore saplings have been planted in the last monsoon and a target of planting 10 crore saplings has been set this year. Launched at the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, the campaign is not limited to tree plantation, but concepts like ‘Matru Van “and’ Smriti Van” associated with it are making it an emotional movement. In every district, mother forests are being created with the participation of the general public, where citizens are fulfilling their responsibility towards the environment by planting trees in the memory of their families. ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan ‘mobile app has also been developed to digitally track this campaign.
Self-reliance in new energy: Farmers become energy producers
The state has made record progress in the field of solar energy. During the tenure of the present government under the leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, 592 solar plants with a capacity of 1190 MW have been installed. These plants have been set up by the farmers themselves or in partnership with the developer under the KUSUM scheme, due to which the farmers have now become annadatas as well as energy donors. The power generated from these plants is available to the discoms at just Rs 2.5-3 per unit, which is much cheaper and pollution-free than thermal power. This scheme is not only increasing the income of farmers but is also a big step towards self-reliance in the energy sector.
Innovative efforts in water conservation: Mathrubhumi Campaign from Karmabhoomi
The ‘Karmabhoomi Se Mathrubhumi’ campaign has been launched to revive the culture of traditional water sources of Rajasthan. This initiative is connecting the migrant Rajasthanis with their villages who have settled in the country and abroad but want to remain connected with their motherland. Under this campaign, migrants are providing financial and technical support in the construction of recharge shafts and water conservation structures. Meaningful efforts are being made to improve the falling ground water level through these structures that promote groundwater recharge. Under the Abhiyaan, a target has been set to construct 45 thousand water structures in the next four years, out of which work has started on thousands.
Vande Ganga Water Conservation People’s Campaign: Restoration of Water Culture through Public Participation
The ‘Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Jan Abhiyan’ from June 5 to June 20 is a living example of the people-sensitive initiative of Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma. During the campaign, programs like cleaning of water sources, pujas, Jalabhishek and Shramdaan were organized across the state, in which the Chief Minister himself became a partner. Under this campaign, about 2 crore 53 lakh people participated in more than 3 lakh 70 thousand programmes. About 42 thousand water sources have been cleaned and repaired and thousands of new water conservation works have been started. In the campaign, public consciousness about water got the form of a social movement.
Towards a lasting change: The Clean Energy and Innovation Initiative
The state government has decided to distribute free induction cooktops to one lakh beneficiaries to promote clean cooking. Pot banks are being arranged in Gram Panchayats to limit the use of plastic in rural areas. Innovations like Waste to Health Parks and Clean and Green Technology Development Centres are giving technological strength to environmental protection.
Hariyalo Rajasthan, the direction of the future, the need of the present
The leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma is taking Rajasthan from traditional desert to green prosperity. It is not just tree plantation or water conservation initiatives, but it is the holistic approach that connects the environmental, social and economic spheres. Today Rajasthan is becoming one of the leading states of the country in the direction of sustainable development. With the participation of every citizen and the commitment of the government, ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan’ is no longer just a dream but a reality.