Plant4Mother: Over 800 institutions to plant more than 3,000 saplings nationwide

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will participate in a plantation drive in New Delhi on Thursday as part of the #Plant4Mother campaign, also known as #एक_पेड़_मां_के_नाम. The campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, symbolizes the deep connection between nurturing life and respecting mother earth.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, the initiative seeks to plant 80 crore saplings nationwide by September 2024, with an additional target of 140 crore saplings by March 2025.

During the event, Chouhan, along with around 200 officers and staff from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, will oversee the inauguration of a “Matri Van” on approximately one acre of land at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus in Pusa, New Delhi.

This initiative is set to be replicated across the country, with all subordinate offices of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions, Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) instructed to organize similar tree plantation programs at their respective locations. Over 800 institutions under the ministry are expected to participate, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 saplings to be planted during the event.

The #Plant4Mother campaign has evolved into a mass movement, encouraging individuals to pay tribute to their mothers and Mother Earth by planting trees. The initiative aligns with the Government’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which advocates for an environmentally conscious way of living.

Tree planting plays a crucial role in sustainable farming by improving soil quality, water retention, and biodiversity, ultimately enhancing farm productivity. Additionally, it provides farmers with an additional source of income through timber and non-timber products. The campaign is a vital step towards preventing land degradation and desertification, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for India.