Project One Tree: 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and Other Green Campaigns Adopted by PM Modi and His Ministers

News18 Network, India’s largest news network, has launched ‘Project One Tree’, a movement aiming to mobilize every Indian to plant a tree as a measure against climate change. This marquee movement seeks to raise awareness about environmental conservation and foster collective action towards a greener, more sustainable future.

India is following a sustainable and inclusive development model, leaving no one behind. In keeping with its sustainable development goals (SDGs) and commitments, the government has been promoting sustainability across all fronts of development and urbanisation. Through eight national missions, the government is focusing on solar energy, energy efficiency, water management, sustainable agriculture, and the Himalayan ecosystem.

India, like many parts of the world, has been witnessing devastating climate change, marked by prolonged heatwaves, rising temperatures, forest fires and floods. This necessitates urgent action on individual levels too. In addition to the work that government has been doing, it is the responsibility of each of us to watch our carbon footprints, to monitor our consumption patterns, to care for the Earth – our only home – and for each other, in helping safeguard the future for ourselves, our children, for flora and fauna and for our biodiversity.

Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet have led by example when it comes to going green.

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

On June 5, marked as World Environment Day, PM Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and planted a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in the national capital. “I call upon everyone, in India and around the world, to plant a tree in the coming days as a tribute to your mother,” he wrote on X.

The Prime Minister said that it would make everyone “very happy” to know that in the last decade, the country undertook several collective efforts that have led to increased forest cover across India.

“This is great for our quest towards sustainable development. It is also commendable how local communities have risen to the occasion and taken a lead in this,” he said.

All India Tree Plantation Campaign

In August last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah planted the 4,00,00,000th tree as part of the ‘All India Tree Plantation Campaign’ of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The event was organised at the CRPF Group Center in Greater Noida.

In his address, Shah said that a few years ago, it was resolved that a total of five crore trees would be planted by December last year. Further, he expressed confidence that the goal will be achieved in time.

Back then, PM Modi lauded the Home Ministry’s initiative to plant four crore saplings. Responding to a social media post by Amit Shah on X, he expressed confidence that this will inspire everyone in the direction of conservation of the environment and nature.

Conserving Saplings

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav had a few weeks ago pointed out that there is a need to maintain a balance between scientific progress and nature.

After assuming charge as the Environment Minister, Yadav said: “Everyone should plant a tree, as per the call given by Prime Minister Modi, to combat desertification and challenges to biological diversity.” He noted that people must do this for ‘Mother Earth’. “We must not only plant trees but also conserve them,” he added.

Green India Mission

The central government launched the Green India Mission (GIM) in 2015 as one of the major missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It was aimed at protecting and improving the forest cover across the country.

As part of it, the government provides financial assistance to respective states and Union Territories to supplement their tree plantation efforts. Earlier, it was reported that Rs 755 crore has been released in the last five years for afforestation activities across 17 states as well as one Union Territory.

Plant a Sapling Daily

In February this year, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed three years of his resolve to plant a sapling every day. He took this resolve during his fourth term as the chief minister.

It was earlier reported that he had planted more than 3,200 saplings across 16 states in the country as part of this initiative.