Greenathon 2026: Chandigarh’s Green Drive Wraps Up with Cycle Rally and Tree‑Planting

After a week of workshops, awareness stalls and community clean‑ups, Chandigarh’s Greenathon 2026 drew to a close on Saturday with a burst of colour, wheels and fresh leaves. The final event was a joint cycle rally and plantation drive that saw hundreds of participants pedalling through the city’s iconic sectors, stopping at pre‑designated spots to plant saplings.

The rally kicked off at Sector 17, where volunteers, schoolchildren and senior citizens gathered, bikes gleaming in the early morning light. Organisers from the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, local NGOs and the Greenathon steering committee cheered the crowd, reminding everyone that each pedal stroke was a pledge to cut down emissions.

As the convoy rolled past the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake, on‑site teams handed out young trees—mostly native species like dhak, neem and babul—paired with simple planting kits. Spectators clapped, some even jumping onto their bikes to join the cause. By the time the rally reached the final stop near the city’s green belt, more than 3,000 saplings had found a new home in the soil.

Mayor Amarjeet Singh, who cut the ceremonial ribbon, highlighted the event’s symbolism: “When we ride together and plant together, we send a powerful message that a greener Chandigarh isn’t just a dream, it’s a shared responsibility.” He also announced that the municipality will monitor the survival rate of the trees and promises regular watering for the next six months.

Beyond the trees, the day buzzed with spontaneous conversations about waste segregation, renewable energy and how everyday habits can tilt the environmental balance. A few participants admitted they’d never cycled in a group before, but left feeling energized and hopeful.

Greenathon 2026 may have ended, but its momentum is expected to carry forward into next year’s editions. Organisers say the success of the rally and plantation drive will shape future events, perhaps adding electric‑bike zones and community‑grown vegetable patches.

For now, Chandigarh residents can stroll through newly greened lanes, breathe fresher air and, most importantly, remember that a single ride or a single seed can spark a city‑wide change.