2025.04.07 (Vrindavan Today News): In a remarkable step to combat environmental pollution, the District Magistrate of Mathura, Mr. Chandra Prakash Singh (IAS), has introduced a unique regulation that blends ecological responsibility with legal licensing. As part of the new policy, any individual applying for a firearm license—or seeking to transfer an existing one—must first plant ten trees.
Addressing the pressing issue of environmental degradation in Mathura, the District Magistrate emphasized the urgent need for innovative solutions. He stated, “Pollution is a serious problem in Mathura, and we need active citizen participation to restore the ecological balance.” In response, the district administration has devised a plan to ensure that every gun license applicant contributes positively to the environment.
Under this initiative, applicants are now required to plant ten trees on their own farmland as a precondition for license approval. Furthermore, they must upload geo-tagged photographs of the planted trees as evidence. These images, captured with location metadata, must be submitted along with the application documents. Only after verifying these details will the administration consider issuing or transferring a firearm license.
The same requirement applies to legal heirs of license holders. If an heir wishes to have the license transferred in their name, they too must plant ten trees and submit the geo-tagged photographic proof.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh underlined that this policy is not merely bureaucratic formality but a deliberate environmental intervention. “This decision has been taken with the vision of addressing environmental challenges in the district. We aim to promote tree plantation as a civic responsibility intertwined with legal privileges,” he said.
By tying the process of acquiring a weapon license to environmental contribution, this initiative stands as an example of policy-driven green action. It reflects a shift in governance—where ecological sustainability is no longer a separate agenda but embedded in everyday administrative practices.
This bold and unconventional move is expected to encourage thousands to participate in tree plantation, fostering a collective effort toward restoring the green cover of Mathura.
