Why Andhra's 'Green Passport' Initiative Strikes A Deep Chord With Society
After receiving widespread acclaim for the month-long Yogandhra campaign, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken another significant step—this time towards environmental consciousness—with the launch of the Green Passport initiative.
Spearheaded by Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh and strongly backed by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the programme is not just about planting trees—it's about planting values, rooted in respect, care, and sustainability. The initiative draws direct inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, taking forward the message by involving lakhs of schoolchildren in what is shaping up to be a large-scale public movement.
In a time when climate awareness is not a choice but a necessity, the Green Passport initiative places children at the heart of India's green revolution. It invites students to plant and care for saplings in their mother's name, turning a personal tribute into a collective commitment to the planet.
At the centre of the programme lies the symbolic Green Passport, a digital and physical document issued via the LEAP app to every student from classes 4 to 10. This passport records each child's sapling plantation, tracks growth, and logs their environmental efforts over time.
Each passport carries a unique QR code for verification, enabling real-time monitoring of the sapling's progress. Students are encouraged to plant between one and three saplings at their homes, roadsides, farms, or public spaces. But planting is just the beginning; the focus is on long-term care and nurturing.
Students regularly upload selfies as evidence, take part in peer reviews, and undergo annual assessments conducted by teachers.
To keep motivation high, a Green Points System rewards students not just for participation, but for consistent care and visible growth of their plants. Top performers are honoured annually, promoting a sense of achievement and ownership.
The initiative also includes a transfer protocol—if students relocate, their saplings are reassigned to ensure they continue to be nurtured. This ensures the project remains sustainable and every planted sapling receives continued attention.
Saplings are provided by the Forest Department, distributed through Mandal Resource Points, and allocated to schools. From registration via APAAR ID to plantation tracking, every step is digitised and transparent.
The programme features a real-time dashboard accessible to administrators, offering district-level insights and performance metrics. QR code-based verification ensures data integrity and accountability at every stage.
With a target of planting over 44 lakh saplings across all districts, the Green Passport is not just a pilot but a state-wide green movement. It is also integrated into national efforts like Mission LiFE and Eco Club activities, aligning local action with global climate goals.
Yet, what truly sets the initiative apart is the emotional depth it brings. Each sapling, planted in a mother's name, becomes a living symbol of love, gratitude, and care. It transforms environmentalism from an abstract concept into a personal, emotional, and cultural commitment.
On World Environment Day (June 5, 2024), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign by planting a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, calling it a collective tribute to motherhood and environmental responsibility. Andhra Pradesh has now taken that message further—into every school, home, and village.
By making children stewards of the planet, the Green Passport initiative redefines civic education in the 21st century. It teaches accountability, sustainability, and gratitude in a way that no textbook ever could.
Through this initiative, the Andhra Pradesh government is not just nurturing trees—it is nurturing the next generation of conscious, responsible citizens. In every sense, this is a legacy project—one that roots children in the values of compassion, community, and care for Mother Earth.
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