More than 50,000 saplings were planted across 31 states as part of a nationwide plantation campaign organised on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya. The drive was led by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in collaboration with the “Vriksh Mitra Parivar” and received added impetus from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative.
The central programme was organised at the PBG Ground in Delhi’s Central Ridge area near Talkatora Stadium. Ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, farmers, students, youth and local residents joined the plantation exercise. The event began with watering of saplings and the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by a mass plantation programme.
Similar activities were conducted in villages, towns, panchayats and educational and other institutions across the country. Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar helped mobilise people and encouraged citizens to plant at least one tree and contribute to the long-term protection of the environment.
Hariyali Amavasya Linked to Environmental Responsibility
Addressing participants, Shri Chouhan said Hariyali Amavasya represents more than a religious tradition and provides an opportunity to reaffirm society’s bond with nature. He highlighted the traditional Indian understanding that people, animals, birds, rivers, mountains and trees form part of an interconnected ecological system.
The Union Minister said planting a tree should be viewed as an investment in the future rather than merely an activity to increase green cover. He emphasised that the responsibility does not end with putting a sapling into the ground. Regular watering, protection and care are essential to ensure that newly planted trees survive and grow.
Shri Chouhan appealed to every citizen to plant at least one tree annually and motivate five other people to do the same. He also proposed celebrating important personal occasions, including birthdays, wedding anniversaries and the birth of children, as “Vriksh Parv” through tree plantation. He suggested that families could also commemorate the death anniversaries of parents by planting trees in their memory.
Focus on Long-Term Survival of Trees
The Union Minister called upon panchayats, urban local bodies and institutions to earmark suitable areas for plantation and develop arrangements for protecting the saplings. According to him, designated plantation spaces and sustained maintenance can help ensure that the campaign delivers lasting environmental benefits.
Shri Chouhan also underlined the strong connection between environmental conservation and agriculture. He said environmental degradation can affect farming, water resources, soil quality and overall human well-being. For farmers, he noted, reliable water availability and healthy soil are just as important as access to seeds and fertilisers.
He urged citizens to adopt the principles of Mission LiFE, conserve energy and reduce dependence on plastic. He stressed the need to use natural resources responsibly instead of exploiting them without considering the requirements of future generations.
Delhi Expands Public Participation
Delhi Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the campaign had helped connect more than one lakh people in Delhi with the plantation movement. Schools, colleges and other institutions are also being encouraged to participate in tree-planting activities, he said.
Another Delhi Cabinet Minister, Shri Parvesh Verma, said the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign can encourage citizens to take greater responsibility for environmental protection. He emphasised that economic development and ecological conservation need to progress together, with sustainable development requiring a balance between infrastructure growth and preservation of green spaces.
The programme was attended by Member of Parliament Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary, representatives of institutions, officials from agricultural universities, personnel from ICAR, DARE and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, along with members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar.
The nationwide initiative ultimately focused on creating sustained public participation in environmental conservation. Organisers emphasised that planting a sapling is only the beginning; protecting it and ensuring its healthy growth are equally important steps towards building a greener and more sustainable future.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
