Odisha to plant 75 lakh saplings on PM's 75th birthday
Launched by Modi, the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign aims to promote environmental awareness through mass tree plantation. Its second edition runs from June 5 to September 30, with Odisha setting a target of 7.5 crore saplings this year. Majhi noted that Odisha had exceeded its target last year, planting 6.72 crore saplings and securing the fourth position nationally in the campaign. He emphasised the importance of making the initiative a people's movement, stating that alongside the Forest and Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment departments, other government departments, PSUs, NGOs, youth and voluntary organisations must be actively involved.
Institutions such as panchayats, schools, colleges and self-help groups will also play key roles in this year's campaign. The Information and Public Relations department has been directed to launch a publicity campaign.
The Chief Minister said planting is not end of the programme as people and the government need to take responsibility to make the plants survive. He said plants like Neem, Karanj, Tentuli, Phasi, Arjun, Harida, Bahada, Pansa, Tal, Pijuli, Krishnachuda, Peepal, Barbacha, Ashok, Jamu, Kadamba, Amla, Deodaru, Sunari, Karanj and Chakunda can be selected for group-forest, rural forest, roadside sapling plantation and individual tree plantation. The Chief Minister recalled that during his visit to Odisha last year, coinciding with his birthday, Modi had launched the Subhadra Yojana in honour of mothers. He emphasised that 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative was also launched by the Prime Minister last year and has since gained momentum as a people's movement.
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