CM Mohan Yadav Plants Rudraksha Sapling at Kukru Hill Station
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav participated in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign on Sunday, 28 June 2026, planting a Rudraksha sapling at the Kukru Hill Station in Betul district. The Chief Minister also inspected the coffee plantation located at the site during his visit.
Context
Posting on X with the hashtag #EkPedMaaKeNaam, Dr. Yadav wrote: 'Aaj Betul jile ke Kukru Hill Station mein Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam abhiyan ke antargat Rudraksha ka paudha ropa' — 'Today, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign at Kukru Hill Station in Betul district, I planted a Rudraksha sapling.' He added that he also observed the coffee garden situated there.
Kukru is a lesser-known but scenic hill station in Betul district in southern Madhya Pradesh, situated at an elevation that supports plantation crops including coffee — an uncommon sight in the region.
Policy Backdrop
The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign is a nationwide tree-plantation initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour mothers through environmental action, encouraging citizens and public figures alike to plant at least one tree in their mother's name. The campaign has been adopted across states as part of India's broader green-cover and climate-commitment goals.
The choice of a Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) sapling carries both ecological and cultural significance — the tree is native to the sub-Himalayan and central Indian belt and holds deep religious importance in Hindu tradition. Planting it under a public campaign blends environmental messaging with cultural resonance.
Stakeholders and Impact
Betul district, located in the Satpura range, is part of Madhya Pradesh's tribal and forest belt. The Chief Minister's visit to Kukru draws attention to the hill station's eco-tourism potential and its existing but little-publicised coffee cultivation. Coffee farming in this belt, if scaled, could offer an alternative livelihood for local farming communities.
The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive, when led by senior elected officials, is intended to set a public example and encourage mass participation in plantation activities, particularly during the pre-monsoon and monsoon season when survival rates of saplings are highest.
What's Next
Dr. Yadav's visit to Kukru is likely to put the hill station on the state government's eco-tourism map, potentially prompting follow-up infrastructure or promotion efforts. As the 2026 monsoon season progresses, the state government is expected to intensify plantation drives across Madhya Pradesh's forest and tribal districts, with the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign serving as a key mobilisation vehicle.