Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday, 28 May 2026, participated in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign by planting a sapling in the name of his mother at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, in Himachal Pradesh, and appealed to citizens to join the national drive.

Context

Posting on X in Hindi, Dr. Singh wrote: 'आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी द्वारा आरंभ किए गए #एक_पेड़_माँ_के_नाम अभियान के अंतर्गत आज #CSIR-IHBT, #Palampur में अपनी माताजी के नाम से पौधारोपण करने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ' — 'I had the privilege of planting a sapling in the name of my mother today at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, under the campaign initiated by respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi.' He also appealed to everyone to join the campaign.

The venue, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), is a premier research institution situated in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, that specialises in the sustainable utilisation of Himalayan biological resources. Its participation underlines the scientific community's alignment with national environmental goals.

Policy Backdrop

The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024 — World Environment Day — with an emotional appeal linking tree plantation to maternal affection as a way to drive mass participation. The initiative is part of India's broader afforestation push aimed at expanding green cover and meeting climate commitments under international frameworks.

India has consistently pursued large-scale plantation drives to fulfil targets under the National Forest Policy and its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. Campaigns that attach personal sentiment — such as dedicating a tree to one's mother — have been used to bridge the gap between government targets and grassroots action, encouraging voluntary participation beyond institutional channels.

Stakeholders and Impact

CSIR institutes across the country have historically supported government-led green initiatives, particularly in ecologically sensitive Himalayan zones. Himachal Pradesh, with its rich biodiversity and fragile mountain ecosystems, represents a strategically significant site for such efforts, where tree cover directly influences water retention, soil stability, and local livelihoods.

For the general public, the campaign's design — planting in a parent's name — lowers the barrier to participation by turning an environmental act into a personal tribute. Dr. Singh's visible participation at a scientific institution signals that ministries under his charge are expected to lead by example in environmental stewardship.

What's Next

Observers will watch whether the 28 May 2026 event feeds into broader Van Mahotsav week activities and whether state forest departments in Himachal Pradesh report cumulative plantation numbers from such ministerial visits. The long-term credibility of the campaign will hinge on sapling survival rates and integration with verified forest-cover data — metrics that advocacy groups and parliamentary committees have previously flagged as critical benchmarks for India's afforestation programmes.