Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh planted a sapling in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, on 9 June 2026, dedicating it to his mother under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign, marking the occasion of 12 years of the Modi government.

Posting on X, Dr. Singh wrote: '#ModiSarkar ke 12 varsh poorn hone ke upalakshya mein... #Kathua mein apni maataaji ke naam se paudharopan karne ka saubhagya prapt hua.' — 'On the occasion of completing 12 years of the Modi government, I had the privilege of planting a sapling in Kathua in the name of my mother, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign initiated by respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.' He urged citizens to join the campaign and carry forward the resolve for environmental protection.

Context

The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a nationwide public-participation afforestation drive that invites citizens to plant a tree and dedicate it to their mothers. The campaign blends personal sentiment with environmental purpose, positioning tree plantation as both a familial tribute and a civic act. Dr. Jitendra Singh carried out his plantation in Kathua, the district he represents in Jammu and Kashmir.

Policy Backdrop

The Modi government, which completed 12 years in office in May 2026, has consistently embedded public-driven afforestation within its broader sustainable development and climate messaging. Successive central government plantation drives have sought to expand India's green cover in alignment with domestic targets and international climate commitments. The #12YearsofSeva commemorations have provided a platform for ministers and public representatives to demonstrate on-ground participation in flagship campaigns.

Stakeholders and Impact

The campaign's appeal cuts across demographic lines, drawing participation from elected representatives, civil society, and ordinary citizens. Environmental groups have broadly welcomed large-scale afforestation initiatives, while also calling for attention to sapling survival rates and species diversity to ensure long-term ecological benefit. For Kathua and the broader Jammu and Kashmir region, visible ministerial participation can encourage local-level engagement with the drive.

What's Next

Attention will turn to state-level reporting on the cumulative number of saplings planted under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and whether the campaign's momentum is reflected in upcoming afforestation allocations in the Union Budget. Dr. Singh's post signals that the campaign remains an active plank of the government's public outreach even as the 12-years-of-governance milestone is being marked across ministries. Sustained follow-through on sapling survival and green-cover audits will determine the campaign's long-term environmental legacy.