New Delhi, August  2026: More than 50,000 saplings were planted across 31 states on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya as part of a nationwide plantation campaign led by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in collaboration with the Vriksh Mitra Parivar.

The nationwide campaign received further momentum from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, encouraging citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers and contribute to environmental conservation.

Major Plantation Drive Held in New Delhi

A major plantation programme was organised at PBG Ground, Central Ridge, near Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, where ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, farmers, youth and citizens participated.

The programme began with the watering of saplings and the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by a mass plantation drive. Similar programmes were conducted in villages, towns, panchayats and institutions across different parts of the country.

The Vriksh Mitra Parivar played an important role in mobilising citizens and encouraging people to plant at least one tree.

Planting Trees Is an Investment in the Future

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Hariyali Amavasya is not merely a religious occasion but also an opportunity to express gratitude towards nature.

He highlighted the traditional Indian understanding of the interconnectedness of human beings, animals, birds, rivers, mountains and trees within the natural ecosystem.

According to the Union Minister, planting a tree goes beyond increasing green cover and represents an investment in the future of coming generations. He stressed that planting saplings must be followed by their regular protection, maintenance and care to ensure their survival.

Shri Chouhan appealed to every citizen to plant at least one tree every year and encourage five other people to participate in the initiative.

He also suggested celebrating important occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, the birth of children and the death anniversaries of parents as “Vriksh Parv” by planting trees.

Focus on Protecting Saplings

The campaign placed particular emphasis on the fact that planting a sapling is only the first step. Ensuring its survival and healthy growth is equally important.

Shri Chouhan called upon panchayats, urban local bodies and institutions to identify designated plantation areas where trees can be protected and maintained over the long term.

He also urged communities to take responsibility for nurturing the trees after plantation rather than treating plantation drives as one-time events.

Environmental Protection Linked to Agriculture

Highlighting the connection between agriculture and environmental sustainability, Shri Chouhan said environmental degradation directly affects farming, water availability, soil health and human well-being.

For farmers, he noted, access to water and maintaining healthy soil are as important as the availability of seeds and fertilisers.

The Minister also called for greater adoption of Mission LiFE, energy conservation and reduced dependence on plastic. He emphasised that natural resources should be used responsibly and conserved for future generations.

Delhi Expands Public Participation

Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Delhi Government had drawn valuable lessons from Shri Chouhan’s green initiative.

He stated that more than one lakh people in Delhi have been connected with the campaign, while schools, colleges and other institutions are also being encouraged to participate in plantation activities.

Shri Sirsa said growing public participation reflects increasing awareness among citizens about environmental protection and collective responsibility.

Development and Environmental Conservation Must Go Together

Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Shri Parvesh Verma said the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative should inspire every citizen to take responsibility for protecting the environment.

He stressed that development and environmental conservation must progress together. According to him, sustainable development requires a balance between infrastructure expansion and the preservation of green cover.

Agriculture Institutions Join the Campaign

The programme was attended by Member of Parliament Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary, representatives of various institutions, officials from agricultural universities, personnel from ICAR, DARE and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), along with a large number of members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar.

The participation of agricultural institutions highlights the growing importance of environmental sustainability in the agriculture sector.

A Nationwide Movement for Green India

The Hariyali Amavasya plantation campaign was positioned not simply as a tree-planting exercise but as an effort to build long-term public participation in environmental conservation.

With more than 50,000 saplings planted across 31 states, the campaign seeks to strengthen the message that environmental protection requires continuous community involvement.

The central message of the initiative is clear: planting a tree is only the beginning; protecting and nurturing it is the real commitment to future generations.

The Vriksh Mitra Parivar continues to take this message to communities across the country, encouraging citizens to make tree plantation and tree protection a part of their everyday environmental responsibility.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India