New Delhi: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a unique initiative combining environmental responsibility with a heartfelt tribute to mothers. This campaign was inaugurated on June 5, 2024, with the planting of a Peepal tree by the Prime Minister at Delhi’s Buddha Jayanti Park. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of collective efforts to improve the environment and spoke of India’s strides in increasing forest cover over the past decade. This campaign, he said, aligns with the nation’s quest for sustainable development!
The essence of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ is a symbolic gesture—planting a tree in the name of one’s mother. This simple act serves a dual purpose: honouring the role of mothers in nurturing life and contributing to the health of the planet. Trees are life-sustaining, and just like a mother, they provide sustenance, protection, and a future for the next generation. Through this initiative, participants can create a lasting memory, planting a tree as a living tribute to their mothers, while also addressing the pressing need for environmental preservation.
Notably, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change met its ambitious goal of planting 80 crore seedlings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by September 2024. The target was achieved on September 25, five days ahead of the deadline.
On September 22, 2024, the 128 Infantry Battalion and Ecological Task Force of the Territorial Army, a unit under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), achieved a remarkable feat by planting over 5 lakh saplings in just one hour. This monumental achievement, carried out under the “Special Plantation Drive” in Jaisalmer, was part of the Prime Minister’s campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, and the Territorial Army’s outreach initiative, “Bhagidari & Zimmedari”, aimed at promoting ecological restoration and raising environmental awareness among local communities. The Territorial Army unit’s efforts were recognized by the World Book of Records, London, with several provisional world records, including:
• Most saplings planted by a team in one hour.
•Most saplings planted by a team of women in one hour.
•Largest number of people planting saplings simultaneously at a single venue.
In line with Prime Minister Modi’s call, various ministries have embraced the campaign enthusiastically. Each ministry and department has made substantial contributions to this initiative, demonstrating a collective commitment towards sustainability, green cover enhancement, and fostering public engagement.
To support this initiative, the Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ app. This innovative platform allows users to plant and dedicate a tree in honour of their mothers, with features such as easy image uploads, location tagging, and carbon credit tracking. The app even enables users to monitor the growth of their tree over time, offering a personal way to stay engaged in environmental protection. The app’s user-friendly interface encourages individuals to become active participants in environmental conservation. Users can plant a tree, upload its image, and share their efforts on social media, inspiring others to join this meaningful cause.