Latest news with #EkPedMaaKeNaam


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha govt to plant 7.5 cr trees in the state in one year: CM Majhi
BHUBANESWAR: Emphasising the importance of cleaner and greener environment for a healthy society, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced the government's plan of planting 7.5 crore trees across the state within the next one year. Addressing a state-level function held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) to celebrate World Environment Day, the chief minister said the state has achieved a net increase of approximately 560 sq km in forest and tree cover, which is the fourth-highest among all states. The common people and institutions have planted nearly two crore saplings, setting a record, he said. Expressing concern over the increasing reliance on plastic, especially single-use plastic in daily life, which has emerged as one of the three major problems alongside climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, Majhi called upon the public to take a pledge to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy and clean environment for citizens. He stressed the importance of creating a greener environment and preserving nature to mitigate the severity of pollution which can ensure a healthy life for future generations. 'Our government has taken the initiative to ban single-use plastic, promote sustainable alternatives and strengthen waste management systems. We have also launched the State Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated areas and improve air quality in which the State Pollution Control Board is playing an active role,' he added. Emphasising the need for societal change, he noted the success of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which has resulted in the planting of over six crore trees. The CM felicitated 185 Prakruti Mitra and 211 Prakruti Bandhu volunteers from various districts who have made significant contributions to environmental protection and conservation. He also congratulated all participants and winners of the state-level eco-model exhibition on 'Ending Plastic Pollution' and extended his best wishes to the schools and teachers who won the best Eco-Club award. The chief minister along with minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia and chief secretary Manoj Ahuja planted saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' programme at the College of Agriculture here.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh: Governor champions ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR : Governor S Abdul Nazeer has planted a Sapota (Sapodilla) sapling in the Raj Bhavan lawns here on World Environment Day, on Thursday. Governor Nazeer participated in the sapling plantation programme under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, coinciding with World Environment Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an effort to show our respect and dedication towards our motherland and nature. The Governor said this campaign aims to plant a tree in the name of a mother and create a lasting memory, which will not only protect the environment but also contribute to building a greener and healthier future for coming generations. Furthermore, Governor Nazeer said everyone should participate in the campaign and plant a tree to create an unforgettable memory for their mother. In the Guntur district, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar participated in Vanamahotsavam celebrations at Chandaluru in JPanguluru mandal. He said the state was committed to planting one crore trees this year and criticised the previous regime for felling trees during VIP visits. He called for village-level celebrations around tree planting and encouraged public ownership of the green initiative. Later, Minister Gottipati Ravi kumar visited Janakavaram village, offering financial support to a deceased farmer's family and met several families of TDP workers across Addanki constituency. In Tamavaram village, he extended aid to the family of a party worker who died in an accident.


Hans India
5 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
Call to educate children about benefits of growing trees
Vijayawada: Medical and Health Minister and NTR district in-charge Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said here on Thursday that the aim was to plant a total of one crore saplings across the state and 2.60 lakh saplings in NTR district to realise the vision of 'Swarnandhra.' Speaking at the World Environment Day and Vanamahotsavam - 2025 programme organised by the District Forest Department at Nagara Vanam in Kothuru Tadepalli, Vijayawada Rural, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav emphasised the joint efforts of Central and State governments to maintain environmental balance and improve living standards through afforestation. He, along with local MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad and district collector Dr G Lakshmisha, inaugurated the event by planting saplings. The minister recalled Prime Minister Modi's call to plant a tree in the name of one's mother (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam). He urged the public to educate children about the benefits of growing trees. MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad echoed the concerns about environmental imbalance leading to natural calamities, citing the sudden floods in Budameru that caused damage. He shared that he is extensively planting and nurturing trees under his 'Vasantha Green Project'. District Collector Lakshmisha stated that just as Yogandhra contributes to mental development, planting trees helps protect the environment and increase greenery. Vijayawada RDO Kavuri Chaitanya, District Forest Officer G Satish, DPO P Lavanya Kumari, DRDA PD ANV Nanchararao, DWAMA PD A Ramu, District Forest Range Officer K Srinivasulu Reddy, Deputy Range Officer P Raju, and other officials also participated.


Hans India
6 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
End plastic pollution, says Majhi
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday raised alarm over the escalating menace of plastic pollution in the State. While addressing the World Environment Day celebration in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said unbridled use of plastic poses a triple threat- climate change, loss of biodiversity and affects the ecosystems with pollution and waste. He called for a mass movement to eliminate plastic use from everyday life. On tackling pollution, the Chief Minister underlined the State's firm stance against single-use plastic. 'We've banned single-use plastic and are actively promoting long-term sustainable alternatives. Waste management systems are being strengthened to ensure a cleaner and greener future,' Majhi added. He also highlighted that the State government has launched the Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated urban areas and improve overall air quality. The Chief Minister also announced that Odisha government will undertake the plantation of 7.5 crore trees this year as part of its aggressive green initiative. He noted that Odisha has seen a net increase of 560 sq km in forest cover, ranking fourth among all States. 'This achievement is a testament to our collective effort. Through the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, we've already planted over 6 crore saplings,' he said. The Chief Minister said Similipal was recently designated as the 107th National Park by the Union government. Under 'Ama Similipal' scheme, the government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for enhanced protection of wildlife and biodiversity in the region. Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, said the State will soon introduce reverse vending machines (RVMs) for plastic waste collection in major urban centres. Sahu said seven cities across Odisha will also see the launch of a new Clean City Pilot Programme to intensify urban sanitation and waste segregation. He also stressed that single-use plastic continues to be a serious threat, and enforcement will be strengthened to strictly regulate its usage, especially during mass gatherings, picnics and tourist seasons. 'Plastic pollution is silently choking our environment. We urge citizens, institutions and vendors to shift to eco-friendly alternatives. Enforcement will be tighter this year,' said Sahu.


Hans India
6 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Governor champions ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative
Vijayawada: Governor S Abdul Nazeer on Thursday planted a Sapota (Sapodilla) sapling on Raj Bhavan lawns here, marking World Environment Day and participating in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A Tree in Mother's Name) initiative. Speaking at the event, the Governor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign as a gesture of respect and dedication towards our motherland and nature. He highlighted the campaign's objective: to plant a tree in the name of a mother, creating a lasting memory that simultaneously protects the environment and fosters a greener, healthier future for generations to come. The Governor urged everyone to join this campaign, encouraging them to plant a tree as an unforgettable tribute to their mothers. Raj Bhavan officers and staff were present during the sapling plantation programme.