Dehradun, January 23: Uttarakhand, hosting the 38th National Games during its silver jubilee year, has set a remarkable example of a green initiative. Every athlete winning a medal at the National Games will plant a tree in their name to promote environmental conservation. To facilitate this, a “Sports Forest” is being developed near the event venues. Guests participating in the event will also plant trees. More than 10,000 saplings are expected to be planted during the event.

Uttarakhand has adopted the “Green Games” theme for the National Games. In line with this theme, the state government has taken several significant steps to promote environmental awareness. Most of the sports events will be held in Dehradun, where a Sports Forest is being created near the venues. Medal-winning athletes will plant trees, creating a lasting memory of their connection with Uttarakhand. Guests from across the country will also contribute by planting saplings.

4350 Medals to Be Made from E-Waste
Around 4350 medals will be awarded to athletes in various competitions at the National Games. It has been decided that these medals will be crafted from e-waste. The Uttarakhand government is preparing the medals accordingly. Additionally, the certificates provided to athletes will be made from eco-friendly and biodegradable materials. Electric vehicles will be used to transport athletes between venues, and recycled PET bottles will be used for drinking water.

Light and Sound Show at the Inaugural Ceremony
Grand preparations are underway for the inaugural ceremony of the National Games. A light and sound show will be organized to mark the event. Furthermore, decorations and selfie points for the event will be crafted from e-waste. An e-waste-made tiger has already been installed at the venue.

“Last year, the Prime Minister launched the ‘One Tree for Mother’ campaign, inspiring the entire nation toward environmental conservation. Uttarakhand has made significant progress under this initiative. Now, we have themed the National Games as ‘Green Games.’ Several measures are being taken to ensure that, along with sports, a powerful message of environmental conservation reaches the nation and the world.”
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand.

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