Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called upon citizens across the country to actively participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign, aligning it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The renewed initiative aims to plant 10 crore trees between June 5 and September 30, to mark World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5.
In a video message released ahead of the occasion, Pradhan emphasized that the campaign goes beyond just planting trees. “It is an emotional tribute to our mothers and Mother Nature,” he said, urging especially students to plant a sapling in the name of their mothers as a symbol of love, gratitude, and environmental stewardship.
He noted that since its inception in 2024, the campaign has evolved into a people’s movement, inspired by the symbolic act of the Prime Minister, who planted a Peepal tree in memory of his mother at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi on June 5 last year. Over 5.5 crore trees have already been planted under the initiative, with active participation from citizens across India.
Pradhan highlighted creative grassroots efforts from states such as Chhattisgarh, Tripura, and Rajasthan, where communities have adopted innovative methods like seed balls and bio fencing to support the campaign.
The Minister also referenced the United Nations Environment Programme’s emphasis on lifestyle changes alongside technological innovation in combating climate change. He praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in launching Mission LiFE, which integrates sustainable practices into everyday living.
In a notable achievement, more than 29 lakh students have generated over 50 lakh QR codes to digitally track the growth and maintenance of the trees they planted. This initiative, he said, helps create a national environmental database, allowing for real-time monitoring and a data-driven approach to ecological conservation.
Congratulating students, teachers, and parents for their enthusiastic support, Pradhan urged all citizens to plant a tree in their mother’s name and share its story. “Each sapling is not just a tree but a message of love, commitment, and hope for a greener future,” he said.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign merges emotional resonance with environmental responsibility, transforming tree planting into a personal and national mission. Trees, like mothers, provide life, care, and protection, he noted — making this initiative a profound gesture of tribute and action.