Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted saplings with students in Pantnagar this month [1].
The initiative aims to increase green cover in Uttarakhand and encourages public participation in environmental conservation through a dedicated national campaign.
The event took place in June 2026 [1], coinciding with World Environment Day on June 5 [2]. This effort is part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which encourages citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers to promote reforestation, and ecological sustainability [2].
Reports on the exact location of the planting differ. One account said the activity occurred at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology campus in Pantnagar [1]. Another report said the ceremony was held at the Smart City Park in Pantnagar [2].
Chouhan’s participation with students highlights the government's focus on youth engagement in climate action. By integrating academic environments and public parks into the drive, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among the younger generation in the region [1], [2].
The drive is designed to support the broader goals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare by integrating forestry with community development. The planting of these saplings serves as a symbolic and practical step toward mitigating the effects of climate change in the fragile ecosystem of Uttarakhand [1].
“Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted saplings with students in Pantnagar this month.”
This initiative reflects the Indian government's strategy of linking environmental policy with social and emotional drivers—such as the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign—to increase the success rate of reforestation efforts. By involving university students and utilizing public spaces in Uttarakhand, the administration is attempting to institutionalize environmental activism at the grassroots level to combat regional deforestation.
