Bhubaneswar- Bhubaneswar is gearing up for an extraordinary green initiative as Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a mega plantation drive to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday on September 17. As a symbolic gesture of respect and appreciation, the state will plant 75 lakh trees in a single day under the ongoing campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’.
“This isn’t just about planting trees; it’s our way of expressing thanks to the Prime Minister for his unwavering commitment to Odisha’s progress and the welfare of its people,” CM Majhi remarked during a review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan. Recalling Modi’s visit to the state last year, where he launched the Subhadra Yojana to honour mothers, Majhi said this year’s initiative will carry that spirit forward through green action.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched by the Prime Minister last year, has now evolved into a broader national movement. Its second edition kicked off on June 5 and will continue till September 30. Odisha has ambitiously set a target of planting 7.5 crore saplings under the initiative, with a special emphasis on September 17 to create a record by planting 75 lakh trees in just one day.
Highlighting last year’s success, the Chief Minister noted that Odisha planted over 6.72 crore trees in 2024, ranking fourth nationwide. “This year, we are aiming higher — both in numbers and impact,” he said, encouraging participation from every corner of the state.
Majhi underscored that the departments of Forest and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment will play pivotal roles, but the campaign’s true strength lies in collective action. He urged all government departments, public sector units, NGOs, youth and women’s groups, self-help collectives, and educational institutions to actively take part.
Schools, colleges, and local panchayats have also been roped in to take ownership of plantation activities in their regions. The Information and Public Relations department has been asked to amplify the campaign and turn it into a mass environmental movement.
“Planting a sapling is only the beginning,” the CM emphasized. “The real success lies in nurturing them. Every individual, from government employees to citizens, must feel responsible for the trees they plant.”
To ensure long-term ecological benefit, Majhi proposed planting native species like neem, tamarind, arjuna, peepal, banyan, jamun, mahua, and amla, among others. These trees will be used in various settings — from community and village forests to roadside avenues and personal plots.
Data and photographs of the plantation efforts will be systematically uploaded to the Meri LiFE portal to ensure transparency and monitoring. Panchayat-level officers have been tasked with supervising rural plantation drives and ensuring targets are met with quality and care.
To inspire enthusiastic participation, the government will also recognize and reward outstanding individual and group contributions to the campaign. Additionally, priority will be given to supplying fruit-bearing saplings that can contribute to both environmental and local economic value.
With this ambitious green tribute, Odisha not only seeks to honour a political milestone but also make a strong statement on climate consciousness and environmental stewardship.
