Gandhinagar, March 11 (NationPress) Ghana has initiated the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, inspired by India's efforts, as announced by Gujarat's Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia during a session of the state Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

In response to a legislator's inquiry, Modhwadia elaborated that this tree-planting initiative, which connects environmental preservation with the heartfelt gesture of planting a tree in honor of one’s mother, is already active across India, including Gujarat.

“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign is thriving nationwide, emphasizing the importance of caring for and nurturing our trees,” Modhwadia stated in the Assembly.

He referred to Modi's recent visit to Ghana, where the Prime Minister highlighted the campaign while planting a tree at a local school.

“With India as a model, Ghana, which boasts rich forests, has also embraced the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. This is a source of pride for everyone involved,” the minister remarked.

Modhwadia continued by detailing the initiatives in Gujarat aimed at promoting tree planting and conservation, mentioning that the state government has allocated financial resources ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 2,500 through various Forest Department schemes to aid in the care and maintenance of trees.

“This encompasses the installation of tree guards, regular watering, and overall care for the trees for a duration of up to three years,” he added.

Additionally, the minister noted that there are measures in place for the conservation of heritage trees.

“Heritage trees in Gujarat are identified, and farmers receive compensation of approximately Rs 5,000 annually for their upkeep,” he explained.

Responding to another inquiry, Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Pravin Mali, mentioned: "The Forest Department is actively working to expand forest cover in both urban and rural areas through a program called ‘Van Kavach.’"

This initiative focuses on developing dense green spaces by utilizing the Miyawaki method.

“Under the Van Kavach scheme, around 10,000 trees of various species are planted within a hectare to create dense forests,” Mali stated, noting that these areas are transforming into spaces for public walks and centers for nature education.

Mali also shared updates on plantation activities conducted in the Rajkot district under the community forest development scheme.

“In the past two years, a total of 6.47 lakh saplings have been planted across 388 hectares, costing Rs 1,192 lakh,” he reported.

“Currently, 5.29 lakh of these saplings are thriving, showcasing the success of the initiative,” the minister concluded.