India, May 15 -- Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma on Wednesday called for transforming the district's upcoming plantation drive into a "Jan Andolan" (public movement), urging officials to ensure big public involvement alongside institutional participation.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the district's environment, plantation, Ganga, and wetland committees, the DM directed all departments to adopt a mission-mode approach rather than viewing the campaign as a routine task.

"All departments must coordinate closely, finalise plantation sites, and start pit digging as per their targets. Public participation is crucial - this campaign must transcend paperwork and evolve into a true mass movement," the DM sa...