Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi leads Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 drive, planting 75 lakh saplings to mark PM Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi kicked off the single-day mass plantation drive by planting a sapling at a State-level program under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
As per the official reports, the State government has pledged to plant 75 lakh saplings across Odisha on September 17 in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.
The event was also joined by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, and MLA Babu Singh.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said, “Out of the 7.5 crore saplings targeted for plantation, we have already planted 5 crore saplings across Odisha. This is an auspicious day as it’s the 75th birth anniversary of PM Modi. This single-day drive to plant 75 lakh saplings is the best gift for PM Modi from the people of Odisha.”
Sources said, several departments have also been roped and provided with targets to plant saplings today. 15 lakh saplings for Forest Department, 34 lakh for Panchayati Raj Department, 23 lakh for Agriculture Department, 15 lakh for Industries Department, 2.2 lakh target for Central Para Military Force, and 2 lakh for the banks in Odisha.
Explaining the emotional connect in the campaign, Majhi said, “A mother keeps her child inside her womb for nine months and nurtures it with her love and affection. Mother Earth does the same thing for all of us. We have dedicated this day for both the biological mother and the Mother Earth.”
“Today is not only a day just for plantation. In fact, this a day dedicated for environment protection, repayment of our debt to the nature and ensuring a healthy and beautiful world for the next generation,” he added.
He concluded his address by urging the people to continue planting saplings and upload the selfie or photo in Meri LiFE portal to generate a certificate in their name.
Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, “Plantation is essential to meet the challenges like climate change. For this, 75 lakh saplings are being planted across the state on the birthday of our dear Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. With the inspiration of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and the cooperation of the people, this trend will continue. Our goal is to protect the forest resources and create greenery in Odisha.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the campaign follows a structured yet participatory approach. As part of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, PRIs were engaged to organize small-scale plantations in public institution premises-Gram Panchayat offices, schools, colleges, other Government institutions and anganwadi centres using a Block Plantation Mode.
Both rural and urban landscapes were surveyed to earmark suitable plantation zones—community land, roadside areas, riverbanks, school premises, and urban parks. Free and subsidized saplings are made available to households, schools, and institutions.