Chandigarh, June 9 – In a bid to promote environmental sustainability through massive public participation, the Haryana government has launched the ambitious campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’. The initiative aims to scale up the state’s afforestation efforts for the year 2025–26.
At a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a comprehensive action plan was discussed. The campaign will be integrated with major national schemes like MGNREGA, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart City Mission, and the National Green Highways Mission, ensuring a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Rastogi emphasized that the campaign should not only focus on new plantations but also on ensuring the long-term survival and care of the trees planted in previous years. Officials have been instructed to submit detailed reports on plant survival and maintenance.
In a major operational push, district-level plantation committees will be formed. These committees will identify plantation sites, assess land availability, finalize coordination plans, and estimate sapling demands. All departments have been asked to submit data on available land for planting and work with nurseries to meet requirements.
The Forest Department has confirmed that 18.1 million saplings are currently available across 200 government nurseries in 22 districts. A booklet highlighting nursery stock was released on World Environment Day 2025, and further information can be accessed on haryanaforest.gov.in.
Technology will play a key role in monitoring the campaign. Schools will report their tree-planting activities on a microsite linked to the Eco Club for Mission LiFE portal, while other departments will upload plantation data on the https://merilife.nic.in.
Under the 2025 ‘Catch the Rain’ theme of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, tree plantation will be carried out along riversides, canal embankments, Amrit Sarovars, and other water bodies. The initiative will actively involve schoolchildren, youth, community organizations, and departments like Urban Local Bodies, Horticulture, PWD, and Haryana Urban Development Authority.
Additional Chief Secretary Anand Mohan Sharan revealed that in 2024, 18.7 million trees were planted, including 5.22 million in urban areas and 13.44 million in rural areas, with participation from 51 government departments and millions of citizens.
The Chief Secretary has also directed all Deputy Commissioners to launch intensive social media awareness campaigns, encouraging students to take part in tree planting around their educational institutions, thereby instilling ownership and pride in local green efforts.
