Chief Minister of Gandaki state Prithvi Subba Gurung celebrated his 62nd birthday by planting a tree sapling in the premises of his official residence at Shahid Chowk of Pokhara, in a break from influencing western culture of observing the occasion by cutting cakes and organising lavish parties.

Chief Minister Gurung marked his birthday in a bid to promote forestation. This occasion is a part of a campaign to plant tree saplings on birthday of individuals, said Basudev Sedhain, chairperson of the campaign committee. The campaign started from Bensisahar of Lamjung district on December 15, 2018 and has already spread to Kaski, Kathmandu, Dhangadhi and Dang, said the committee’s vice president Laxmi Shrestha.

"Such campaign provides special contributions to environment conservation and maintaining greenery. There is a need to expand the campaign across the country," he said on the occasion.

The event was attended by State Assembly members, high ranking government officials and campaigners who reached the CM’s official residence to offer their wishes on his birthday.

On the occasion, the committee handed a 21-point goal of the campaign to CM Gurung.

The campaign aims to establish the trend of ‘one Nepal, one tree sapling plantation’ on birthday occasion of individuals, said Sedhain.

Under the campaign, 44 tree saplings were planted so far on the birthday occasion of individuals including high profile people and politicians, said the committee.

In a latest example under this campaign, Rastrakabi Madhav Prasad Ghimire planted a Rudraksha sapling at his private residence in Lainchaur in Kathmandu on the occasion of his 101th birth anniversary.