Gandhinagar: Gujarat has set an ambitious target of planting 8 crore saplings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0’ campaign, reinforcing its focus on environmental conservation and increasing green cover across the state.
As part of the initiative, Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in tree plantation activities with villagers in Achhavani village of Khergam taluka in Navsari district.
The plantation drive was conducted under the broader Green Village and E-Environment initiative, highlighting community participation in ecological sustainability efforts.
1,600 Trees to Be Planted in Tribal Villages of Navsari
Under the campaign, a total of 1,600 trees belonging to 28 different species will be planted and nurtured in Achhavani. The Forest Department has also set a district-level target of planting 42.34 lakh trees across Navsari.
In the previous phase of the campaign (2025–26), Navsari had already planted 20.38 lakh saplings across rural and urban areas, strengthening its contribution to Gujarat’s overall green mission.
Gujarat’s Strong Progress in ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Initiative
The state has emerged as a leading performer in the national campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.”
- Phase 1 (2024): 17.50 crore saplings planted
- Phase 2 (2025): 10.96 crore saplings planted
- Phase 3 Target (2026): 8 crore saplings
The campaign, launched on World Environment Day 2024, encourages citizens to plant trees in memory of their mothers to promote environmental responsibility and emotional connection with nature.
Governor Emphasizes Natural Farming and Environmental Responsibility
Governor Acharya Devvrat stressed that protecting the environment is both a moral duty and a necessity in the era of climate change and global warming.
He highlighted concerns over excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and urged farmers to adopt natural farming methods to preserve soil fertility and protect human health.
He also encouraged villagers to treat planted trees as their own children and emphasized that water conservation efforts at the grassroots level would benefit future generations.
CM Bhupendra Patel Calls for Water Conservation and Collective Efforts
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized that human life and culture can thrive only when nature is protected. Referring to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that oxygen and natural resources are essential for survival.
He urged citizens to use resources wisely, conserve water and fuel, and actively participate in environmental protection initiatives.
The Chief Minister also called for the creation and restoration of lakes across Gujarat to strengthen water security and ecological balance. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of mass participation in environmental conservation.
Night Stay in Tribal Villages and Community Engagement
As part of the visit, both the Governor and Chief Minister stayed overnight in the tribal villages of Achhavani and Panikhadak in Navsari district.
During their stay, they:
- Participated in Gram Sabha interactions
- Engaged with villagers on cleanliness initiatives
- Held discussions on natural farming practices
- Promoted collective participation in environmental protection
The visit aimed to strengthen direct communication between leadership and tribal communities while promoting sustainable rural development.
Senior Officials and Public Representatives Present
The programme was attended by several dignitaries including Navsari District Panchayat President Niraliben Nayak, MLA Rakeshbhai Desai, District Collector Manish Gurwani, District Development Officer Kartik Jivani, District SP Rahul Patel, and other officials and community leaders.
A large number of villagers also participated in the plantation and awareness activities.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0’ campaign in Gujarat reflects a strong convergence of environmental protection, community participation, and government leadership. With a target of 8 crore trees and active involvement from citizens and officials, the initiative aims to significantly enhance green cover and promote sustainable development across the state.
