In a bid to promote climate resilience and enhance urban greenery in heat-stressed areas, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the 'Women for Trees' campaign under the AMRUT Mitra initiative. The campaign is being carried out in collaboration with DAY-NULM and is designed as a women-led plantation drive.
The initiative will unfold in two key phases:
Phase I: Site Visits (21st–23rd May 2025)
Over 50,000 Self Help Group (SHG) women will take part in exposure visits to identified plantation sites, including Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), water bodies, ULB-owned parks, and other government lands. The goal is to familiarise SHG members with the locations where plantation efforts are planned, helping them understand on-going urban greening strategies. These visits will also serve as orientation sessions. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will facilitate the visits and provide refreshments.
Phase II: Plantation Drive (5th June–31st August 2025)
The second phase will involve active plantation work by SHG women in the same areas identified earlier. Starting on World Environment Day (5th June), the drive will continue through the monsoon season until 31st August 2025.
MoHUA has urged all States, UTs, and ULBs to follow standard IEC guidelines for branding, outreach, and documentation. A shared Google Drive link provides access to standardised communication materials.
The participating SHGs are to visit plantation sites atMokokchung on 21st May, Phek on 22nd May and Dimapur, Kiphire, Kohima, Longleng, Peren, Tuensang, Wokha and Zunheboto on 23rd of May 2025.
This campaign marks a significant step towards combining environmental sustainability with women's empowerment in urban India.
(TakumpulaLongkumer, IA)