Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Odisha’s ambitious plan to plant 75 lakh trees on September 17, commemorating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.
The initiative forms a centrepiece of the second edition of the green campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0.”
The drive is not only a tribute to PM Modi’s dedication to Odisha’s development—highlighted through schemes like Subhadra Yojana—but also aims to galvanise public awareness for environmental protection.
During the preparatory meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan, CM Majhi emphasised the importance of collaboration across departments, including Forest, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Education, and others. NGOs, youth groups, self-help collectives, schools, and colleges will actively participate. A target of 7.5 crore saplings has been set for the entire campaign duration (June 5 to Sept 30).
CM Majhi further directed extensive publicity efforts, urging the Information & Public Relations department to treat the campaign not merely as a government event but as a people’s movement for environmental security.
Selected tree varieties include Neem, Arjun, Harida, Baheda, Jamun, Kadamba, Krishna Chuda, Ashoka, and other climate-resilient species. Officials and citizens are encouraged to upload images and data on the “Meri Life” portal to ensure transparency and participation.
Performance-based awards will be instituted for individuals and groups showing notable effort. The saplings chosen will vary regionally based on local soil and climate to optimise growth and impact.
Government officers present in the meeting included senior bureaucrats and heads from Forest, Women & Child Development, Panchayati Raj, and Education departments, reaffirming an all-hands-on-deck approach.
The campaign embodies not only a tribute to the Prime Minister but an enduring commitment to Odisha’s green future.
