India will observe a massive plantation drive on September 25 under the banner of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, with a target of 7.5 crore saplings to be planted across the country, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Thursday. The initiative, part of the government’s ongoing Sewa Pakhwada to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, has been described by Yadav as a symbol of both environmental responsibility and personal tribute.
The minister joined a plantation event at Central Ridge, PBG Polo Ground, where over 70 foreign diplomats participated. “Under the Sewa Pakhwada being observed on the occasion of PM Narendra Modi ji’s birthday, the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign not only conveys the message of environmental conservation but also demonstrates our commitment to it. My request to all Indians is to definitely plant a tree in the name of your mother,” Yadav posted on X.
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Diplomats, ambassadors, and envoys from around the globe took part in the exercise, many of whom grew emotional as they reflected on the personal significance of dedicating trees to mothers. “Ambassadors from across the globe joined this initiative. Many of them became emotional, recognising the importance of this movement for our shared future,” Yadav said.
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was first launched earlier this year and has since been promoted as a community-driven exercise in ecological protection. By linking the act of planting trees to the deeply personal sentiment of honouring one’s mother, the campaign seeks to fuse environmental consciousness with cultural and emotional roots.
Experts have noted that India, which faces immense challenges of deforestation, air pollution, and climate vulnerability, requires not just ambitious targets but also sustained grassroots participation. Large-scale plantation drives, while symbolic, are also seen as a way to mobilise public engagement with climate action.
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