i-Hariyali app launched by Punjab government to increase green cover

The i-Hariyali App is a digital initiative launched by the Government of Punjab with the objective of promoting environmental conservation and afforestation across the state. Developed under the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, the app enables citizens to actively participate in tree plantation drives and contribute to the state’s goal of expanding its green cover. The initiative forms a part of Punjab’s broader mission toward sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecological restoration.

Background and Rationale

Punjab, traditionally an agrarian state, has witnessed rapid industrialisation and urbanisation over recent decades, leading to the depletion of forest resources and shrinking green areas. The state’s forest and tree cover, once above 6% of its total geographical area, had declined due to agricultural expansion, deforestation, and developmental pressures.
To reverse this trend and align with India’s national commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement and National Mission for a Green India, the Punjab Government adopted a technology-driven approach to encourage mass participation in tree plantation.
The i-Hariyali mobile app was thus launched in 2018 as part of the ‘Ghar Ghar Hariyali’ (Greening Every Household) campaign — an ambitious environmental programme aimed at increasing Punjab’s green cover and creating awareness about environmental protection among citizens.

Objectives of the i-Hariyali App

The primary objectives of the initiative include:

• To make saplings easily available to citizens through online requests.
• To engage citizens, schools, and institutions in large-scale tree plantation drives.
• To monitor the progress of plantation and ensure survival of saplings.
• To use digital technology for transparent tracking and environmental data collection.
• To contribute to the state’s target of increasing tree and forest cover in line with sustainable development goals.

Development and Implementation

The i-Hariyali App was developed by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Government of Punjab, in collaboration with the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) and Department of Governance Reforms and Public Grievances. It was made available for download on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, ensuring accessibility to all smartphone users.
The initiative is implemented as part of the Mission Tandarust Punjab, which aims to ensure a clean, green, and healthy environment for all citizens.

Key Features of the i-Hariyali App

1. Free Sapling Request and Distribution:
   • Citizens can order up to 25 saplings per individual free of cost from nearby government nurseries using the app.
   • The app lists various species, including fruit-bearing, shade-giving, and ornamental trees suitable for Punjab’s climate.
2. Nursery Locator:
   • A GPS-based feature allows users to locate the nearest government nursery from where they can collect their saplings.
3. Species Selection and Planting Guidance:
   • The app provides information about each tree species, including soil suitability, planting methods, and maintenance tips.
4. Tracking and Monitoring:
   • After planting, users can upload photographs and geo-tagged locations of the planted saplings, enabling the department to track plantation progress and survival rates.
5. Awareness and Education:
   • The app includes educational content on environmental conservation, pollution control, and sustainable living practices.
6. Integration with Government Campaigns:
   • The app is linked to state-led plantation drives, including Van Mahotsav, World Environment Day, and district-level green campaigns.

Functioning and User Experience

• Users register on the app with basic details such as name, address, and mobile number.
• They select the species and quantity of saplings desired.
• The app displays the nearest government nursery and a unique code for sapling collection.
• After planting, users can upload geo-tagged photos for record-keeping.
• Government officials verify plantation data through random checks and satellite imagery.

This digital integration ensures transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation, turning every individual into a stakeholder in environmental protection.

Impact and Achievements

Since its launch, the i-Hariyali App has achieved notable success in promoting environmental consciousness and increasing green cover in Punjab:

• Over 40 lakh saplings were distributed free of cost to citizens within the first two years of launch.
• Thousands of citizens, schools, NGOs, and village panchayats have participated in plantation drives through the app.
• The initiative contributed significantly to the state’s goal of planting 1 crore trees annually under Mission Tandarust Punjab.
• Digital monitoring has improved sapling survival rates, as follow-up checks are conducted using geo-tagged data.
• The app has received positive feedback for its ease of use, accessibility, and community engagement features.

The initiative also helped raise environmental awareness, particularly among the youth, and instilled a sense of responsibility toward ecological conservation.

Alignment with Broader Environmental Goals

The i-Hariyali initiative aligns with several national and international frameworks:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Supports the Green India Mission to increase carbon sequestration through forest expansion.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Contributes to Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
• Punjab’s State Action Plan on Climate Change: Focuses on improving vegetation cover and combating land degradation.

The programme also complements state-level initiatives such as:

• Mission Tandarust Punjab – for improving environmental and public health.
• Pau Watan Da Rakha – for farmer-led tree plantation along field boundaries.
• School Plantation Drives – promoting green campuses across educational institutions.

Challenges and Limitations

While the initiative has been successful, certain challenges persist:

• Survival Rate of Saplings: Despite monitoring, ensuring consistent post-plantation care remains a concern in some areas.
• Awareness in Rural Areas: Limited smartphone access and digital literacy affect participation in remote regions.
• Climatic Constraints: Harsh summer and water scarcity in certain districts hinder sapling growth.

The Department of Forests has responded by strengthening field support, improving nursery infrastructure, and conducting awareness campaigns in partnership with local panchayats and NGOs.

Significance

The i-Hariyali App is more than a digital platform — it represents a citizen-driven environmental movement. By empowering individuals to plant and care for trees, the Punjab Government has transformed technology into a tool for collective ecological action.
The scheme’s success demonstrates how digital governance and environmental sustainability can work hand in hand to address climate challenges. It has also positioned Punjab as one of the leading states in India for integrating technology with environmental policy.