Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced on Sunday, 12 July 2026, that he would inaugurate a large-scale plantation and rainwater harvesting drive in Indore, under the centrally-led 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. The event is set to cover the planting of 21 lakh saplings and the installation of 51,000 rainwater harvesting units in a single day.

In his post, CM Yadav wrote: 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam abhiyan ke antargat aaj Indore mein 21 lakh paudhon ke ropan evam 51 hazar varsha jal sanchayan ikaaiyon ki sthapana ke mahaabhiyan ka shubharambh karunga' — announcing he would launch a 'mahaabhiyan' (mega-campaign) of tree plantation and rainwater harvesting units in Indore, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call.

Context

The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, calling on citizens across India to plant a tree as a tribute to their mothers. The campaign quickly became a nationwide drive, with state governments tasked with setting and meeting annual plantation targets during the monsoon season, when survival rates for saplings are highest.

Madhya Pradesh has a long history of organised afforestation, running Van Mahotsav drives since the 1950s. These state-level efforts have progressively been integrated with central government targets for green cover expansion.

Policy Backdrop

India's mass plantation drives are linked to the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which sets targets for increasing forest and tree cover as part of the country's climate commitments. Combining tree plantation with rainwater harvesting — as this Indore event does — reflects a broader policy approach of addressing both green cover and water security in a single mobilisation.

The monsoon window is strategically used by state governments each year to maximise sapling survival. Indore, Madhya Pradesh's largest city, serves as a high-visibility venue that amplifies the campaign's reach among urban residents and civic bodies.

Stakeholders and Impact

The drive directly involves Indore's municipal bodies, environmental volunteers, and urban residents, who are expected to participate in both the plantation and the installation of rainwater harvesting units. If targets are met, the 51,000 rainwater harvesting units could contribute meaningfully to groundwater recharge in an urbanising region that faces seasonal water stress.

Such events also serve as public mobilisation exercises, drawing participation from schools, resident welfare associations, and civil society groups, broadening awareness of climate-linked conservation goals.

What's Next

The Indore event is expected to set the tone for similar drives across other districts of Madhya Pradesh through the monsoon season. Observers will watch whether the state announces revised plantation targets for the next financial year and how verification of sapling survival rates — a persistent challenge in mass drives — is handled. The campaign's momentum at the state level could also feed into national reporting on India's progress toward its forest cover commitments.