i-Hariyali smartphone application launched by Punjab government to increase green cover

The i-Hariyali smartphone application is an environmental initiative launched by the Government of Punjab with the objective of expanding the state’s green cover through citizen participation. Developed by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, the app enables residents to actively contribute to tree plantation drives by accessing free saplings, locating plantation sites, and monitoring their planted trees digitally. It forms a crucial part of Punjab’s wider strategy for ecological restoration and combating environmental degradation.

Background and Purpose

Punjab, despite being agriculturally rich, has long struggled with low forest cover, recording less than 4% of its geographical area under forests—far below the national average. Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and excessive agricultural expansion have led to significant ecological imbalances, including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and declining air quality.
In line with the National Forest Policy of India and the state’s commitment under the Green Punjab Mission, the government introduced the i-Hariyali App in 2018 to promote community-driven afforestation. The initiative aligns with the broader environmental agenda to achieve sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The term “i-Hariyali”, meaning “Internet for greenery,” symbolises the fusion of technology and environmental responsibility, encouraging every citizen to become a stakeholder in greening Punjab.

Objectives of the Initiative

The i-Hariyali initiative was launched with the following key objectives:

• Enhancing green cover across the state through mass plantation drives.
• Encouraging citizen participation by simplifying access to saplings and plantation information.
• Promoting urban forestry in cities, schools, industrial areas, and along roadsides.
• Leveraging technology to monitor tree plantation and survival rates through digital tracking.
• Contributing to climate resilience and reduction of carbon emissions.

Features of the i-Hariyali App

The i-Hariyali mobile application, available for both Android and iOS platforms, is designed to provide a user-friendly interface connecting citizens with the Forest Department.
Key features include:

1. Free Sapling Booking:
   • Users can book up to 25 free saplings per request through the app.
   • A wide variety of species—both indigenous and ornamental—are available, such as neem, jamun, peepal, amla, and kachnar.
2. Nearest Nursery Locator:
   • The app uses GPS-based location services to help users identify the nearest government nursery where they can collect their saplings.
3. Online Registration:
   • Citizens, schools, NGOs, panchayats, and institutions can register for large-scale plantation campaigns.
4. Geo-tagging and Monitoring:
   • Each plantation site can be geo-tagged, allowing users and the department to monitor the location and growth of planted trees through periodic updates.
5. Awareness and Education:
   • The app provides information about tree care, watering schedules, and plantation techniques, helping users maintain sapling survival.
6. Integration with State Campaigns:
   • The app is directly linked to state-wide plantation programmes, including the Green Punjab Mission, Van Mahotsav, and Mission Tandarust Punjab.

Implementation and Expansion

The Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, manages the i-Hariyali initiative with active collaboration from district forest offices, urban local bodies, and panchayats.
Initially launched in 2018, the app received an overwhelming response within months, with millions of saplings distributed to citizens through government nurseries. The success of the initial phase prompted the expansion of the programme to include educational institutions, industrial areas, and highways, thereby promoting both rural and urban afforestation.
By 2023, the Punjab Government had distributed more than 1.5 crore (15 million) saplings under the i-Hariyali scheme, marking a significant contribution to increasing the state’s green footprint.

Public Participation and Awareness

The i-Hariyali App transformed tree plantation into a public movement by simplifying the process and making it accessible to every citizen with a smartphone. The government conducted widespread awareness campaigns through:

• Social media platforms and official websites.
• Gram panchayats and municipal bodies.
• Educational outreach in schools and colleges.
• Collaboration with NGOs and self-help groups for community plantations.

This participatory approach turned environmental conservation into a shared civic responsibility, encouraging families, students, and community groups to actively engage in plantation activities.

Environmental and Social Impact

The implementation of i-Hariyali has yielded multiple benefits for Punjab’s environment and society:

• Increase in Tree Cover: The state recorded a gradual rise in green areas through community plantations in villages, city parks, and private lands.
• Improved Air Quality: Expansion of vegetation contributed to the mitigation of air pollution, particularly in industrial and urban zones.
• Soil and Water Conservation: The planted trees helped reduce soil erosion and improved groundwater recharge.
• Climate Change Mitigation: By promoting large-scale carbon sequestration, the programme supports the state’s adaptation strategy against climate stress.
• Civic Awareness: The app cultivated environmental consciousness among citizens, reinforcing eco-friendly habits and long-term commitment to sustainability.

Monitoring and Accountability

The digital design of the i-Hariyali App ensures transparency and data-based decision-making. Through geo-tagging and photographic verification, the Forest Department tracks:

• Number of saplings distributed and planted.
• Location-wise plantation density.
• Survival rate of planted trees.
• Impact assessment reports for policy refinement.

This data-driven monitoring system helps the government plan future plantation drives more effectively, focusing on regions with lower green cover or high deforestation rates.

Integration with Broader Environmental Initiatives

The i-Hariyali project complements several other state-level and national environmental programmes, including:

• Mission Tandarust Punjab: Focused on clean air, safe water, and healthy living environments.
• Punjab Greening Programme: A state plan for enhancing forest and tree cover outside reserved forests.
• National Green Mission: Encouraging sustainable forestry and carbon reduction.

Through such alignment, the initiative contributes directly to India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Future Prospects

The Punjab Government aims to expand the i-Hariyali initiative through:

• Integration with school eco-clubs and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
• Development of urban mini-forests under the Miyawaki plantation model.
• Introduction of citizen reward systems, where users may earn recognition or digital certificates for sustained plantation and maintenance efforts.
• Use of remote sensing and AI-based monitoring for assessing canopy growth and ecological health.

Significance

The i-Hariyali App represents a landmark in digital environmental governance by combining technology with public participation. It empowers every citizen to contribute directly to Punjab’s ecological revival while fostering a sense of shared environmental responsibility.