Indian officials and citizens have launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign to increase green cover by planting trees in honor of mothers.
The initiative combines emotional appeal with environmental policy to mobilize a large-scale public response to deforestation and urban heat. By linking tree planting to maternal honor, the government aims to increase citizen participation in ecological restoration.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said a mega-tree-plantation drive is part of the effort [2]. The Delhi government plans to plant seven million trees across three phases [2]. To facilitate this, the administration introduced a Green Drive portal where citizens can book slots to obtain free saplings [1].
The campaign has extended beyond the capital into several other states. In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pukhraj Singh Dhami participated by planting trees at the Purnagiri temple [3]. Local officials and school eco-clubs have also joined the movement, with events reported in Gairatganj, Madhya Pradesh, and Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh [4, 5].
In the Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, the campaign saw involvement from the former district chief in Maharajganj [6]. These regional efforts focus on creating a message of cleanliness, and environmental stewardship alongside the planting of saplings [3].
Participants in the Delhi initiative may receive environment protector certificates to recognize their contribution to the city's green cover [2]. The use of digital portals and certification is intended to track the progress of the seven million tree goal [2].
Volunteers and students continue to lead planting activities in local schools to instill environmental values in younger generations [4]. This grassroots involvement is designed to ensure the long-term survival of the newly planted saplings through community ownership.
“Delhi government plans to plant 7 million trees in three phases”
The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign represents a strategic shift toward 'emotional ecology,' where the state leverages cultural values—specifically the veneration of mothers—to achieve climate goals. By integrating digital tools like the Green Drive portal with traditional community planting, India is attempting to scale its urban forestry efforts while fostering a civic identity centered on environmental protection.
