The “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to see its third phase launched across Gujarat on World Environment Day, June 5. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will officiate the ceremony in Gandhinagar. The campaign will commence with the planting of approximately 5,000 saplings using the ‘Van Kavach’ method on a site covering 0.5 hectares near the Lok Bhavan Staff Quarters on ‘J’ Road.

Originally initiated by PM Modi in 2024 at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi, the campaign has since evolved and will now be implemented on a broader scale throughout Gujarat. This will occur under the supervision of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, aiming to strengthen ecological balance and support biodiversity.

Details of the Plantation Initiatives

The campaign’s focus will be on planting approximately 57 indigenous saplings within the Gandhinagar area as per the ‘Van Kavach’ framework. This scientifically-designed method will consist of a three-tier plantation structure: 20 per cent upper-canopy saplings from 16 species, 50 per cent middle-canopy saplings from 25 species, and 30 per cent lower-canopy saplings from 16 species. The ‘Van Kavach’ model is characterised by its capacity to foster a dense, self-sustaining urban forest within a restricted area.

In total, the initiative aims to plant over 50 lakh saplings over more than 500 hectares in an effort to establish the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, as a model ‘Green Lok Sabha’ constituency. This extensive afforestation programme will be significant for enhancing the green cover in the region.

Beginning on World Environment Day and continuing throughout the subsequent week, the Forest Department has prepared a series of public engagement programmes across Gujarat to foster environmental conservation and encourage the expansion of green spaces. Approximately 50,000 group units in rural and urban settings will participate in the planting activities, with each unit planting 12 saplings, leading to a total of nearly 6 lakh saplings across the state on a single day.

Public Participation and Future Plans

Furthermore, over 1.53 lakh saplings are expected to be planted through 265 taluka-level events across the state during the same week. In addition, more than 1.87 lakh saplings will be given away free of charge to encourage broad community involvement. In collaboration with the Forest Department, over 4.15 lakh saplings will also be planted at 861 designated locations throughout the talukas, significantly enhancing the state’s green landscape.

The Forest Department has called upon the citizens of Gujarat, along with social organisations, educational institutions, and youth, to actively get involved in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign by planting and nurturing at least one tree dedicated to their mothers. This involvement underlines the campaign’s emphasis on community participation and environmental responsibility.

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