Khattar plants sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on World Environment Day
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar planted a sapling under PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative on World Environment Day 2026, urging every Indian citizen to honestly fulfil their duty towards Mother Earth to protect and sustain the environment.
Key Takeaways
Manohar Lal Khattar , Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, planted a sapling on World Environment Day, 5 June 2026 .
The plantation was carried out under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, launched by PM Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024 .
Khattar called on every Indian citizen to honestly discharge their duties towards Dharti Maa (Mother Earth) to protect the environment.
The campaign encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers, creating a personal emotional link to environmental stewardship.
The drive complements central programmes like the National Afforestation Programme and supports India's nationally determined climate targets.
The monsoon season ahead marks the most active window for plantation drives, with state-level participation figures expected to be compiled subsequently.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar participated in a tree-plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign on World Environment Day, 5 June 2026, planting a sapling as part of the nationwide initiative. The minister used the occasion to call on every Indian citizen to fulfil their duty towards the earth and the environment.
Context
Posting on X, Khattar wrote: 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' abhiyan ke antargat paudha bhi ropa — 'I also planted a sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.' He added that if every citizen honestly discharged their duties towards 'Dharti Maa' (Mother Earth), India could protect the environment and keep the planet safe and prosperous.
The post was accompanied by three images from the plantation event, offering a visual record of the minister's participation in the drive.
Policy Backdrop
The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024 — also World Environment Day — to encourage mass tree plantation across India in honour of citizens' mothers. The initiative is designed to build an emotional connect between individuals and environmental stewardship, framing tree-planting as a personal act of devotion rather than a bureaucratic obligation.
The campaign complements long-standing central programmes such as the National Afforestation Programme and various state-level green missions, all aimed at expanding India's forest and tree cover to meet its nationally determined climate commitments. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change coordinates afforestation targets across states and union territories.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary audience for the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign is the general Indian citizenry, with state forest departments serving as the implementing machinery at the ground level. By having senior Union ministers publicly participate, the central government signals that the drive is a whole-of-government priority rather than a departmental exercise.
Khattar, as a former Chief Minister of Haryana and a prominent BJP leader, carries considerable outreach among voters in northern India. His visible participation on World Environment Day reinforces the administration's messaging that environmental responsibility is a civic and moral duty, not merely a policy directive.
What's Next
With the monsoon season approaching, the coming weeks are typically the most active period for plantation drives across India, as soil and rainfall conditions favour sapling survival. State-level participation reports and cumulative plantation figures under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' are expected to be compiled and shared with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Any significant milestones — such as crossing a cumulative plantation target — are likely to be highlighted in parliamentary updates or ministerial communications as the government builds its environmental record ahead of future climate negotiations.
Point of View
Signalling that the BJP's senior leadership remains personally invested in the campaign two years after its launch. By framing tree-planting as a moral and civic duty rather than a government scheme, the administration seeks to shift environmental responsibility to the individual — a recurring theme in its behavioural-change communications. The timing, on the anniversary of the campaign's launch, suggests a coordinated effort to mark the milestone and sustain public momentum. Over time, the credibility of such initiatives will hinge on independently verified plantation and survival data, which the government has yet to make routinely public.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' — meaning 'One Tree in Mother's Name' — is a national tree-plantation campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024, encouraging every Indian to plant a tree in honour of their mother to boost green cover and environmental awareness.
Why did Manohar Lal Khattar plant a tree on 5 June 2026?
Khattar planted a sapling on 5 June 2026 to mark World Environment Day and to participate in the ongoing 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, using the occasion to urge citizens to fulfil their duties towards Mother Earth.
Who launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative?
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024, coinciding with World Environment Day, as part of a broader push for citizen-led afforestation across India.
What is Manohar Lal Khattar's current role in the government?
Manohar Lal Khattar is the Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs in the Government of India. He is a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana.
How does the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign connect to India's climate targets?
The campaign supports India's nationally determined climate commitments by expanding forest and tree cover. It complements central programmes like the National Afforestation Programme and is implemented through state forest departments across the country.
