The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat announced on 5 June 2026 that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the state-wide tree plantation drive 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0' from Gandhinagar on the occasion of World Environment Day, in the presence of Forest and Environment Minister of State Pravinbhai Mali and other dignitaries.

Context

The launch marks the third edition of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign, a nationwide afforestation initiative first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 with the aim of greening the country in a mission linked to emotional and environmental values. Gujarat's state government has aligned its annual plantation calendar with this central programme, scaling targets with each successive phase.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Patel urged citizens that World Environment Day should not remain a one-day celebration but must become part of people's daily lifestyle. He appealed to residents to conserve water and petrol in everyday use and to plant more trees, in keeping with the 'Mission LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) goal championed by the Prime Minister.

Policy Backdrop

Mission LiFE, promoted by Prime Minister Modi, encourages sustainable daily habits — including reducing fuel consumption and water waste — as a citizen-level response to climate change. The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign plugs into this broader framework by making tree plantation a participatory, community-driven act rather than a purely governmental exercise.

Under the 2026-27 plan, the Gujarat Forest Department has set a target of planting 551.91 lakh saplings across a total area of 74,453.90 hectares throughout the state under the combined umbrella of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0 and the traditional Van Mahotsav festival. Van Mahotsav, observed annually during the monsoon season, has been a cornerstone of India's afforestation calendar for decades.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Gujarat's residents, who stand to gain from improved green cover, better air quality, and enhanced groundwater recharge across the state's diverse ecological zones. The Gujarat Forest Department and its field staff bear operational responsibility for coordinating plantation drives across districts.

The campaign also invites citizen participation — individuals are encouraged to plant a sapling in the name of their mother, giving the initiative a personal and cultural resonance that distinguishes it from routine government afforestation programmes. Schools, panchayats, and urban local bodies are typically mobilised as implementing partners during Van Mahotsav season.

What's Next

With the formal launch completed from Gandhinagar, plantation activities are expected to intensify across Gujarat through the monsoon months, which provide optimal conditions for sapling survival. Progress against the 551.91 lakh sapling target and the 74,453.90-hectare coverage goal will be the key metrics to watch as the 2026-27 Van Mahotsav season unfolds.

The state's ability to meet these targets will also serve as a data point in India's broader national green cover assessment, reinforcing Gujarat's positioning as an active participant in the country's climate and sustainability commitments.