PM Modi Plants Khejri at Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Drive in Balotra
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a Khejri sapling at the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign in Pachpadra, Balotra, Rajasthan on 4 July 2026, calling environmental protection the responsibility of every citizen.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi personally participated in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plantation drive on 4 July 2026 .
The event was held at Pachpadra, Balotra district, Rajasthan .
He planted a Khejri sapling — the state tree of Rajasthan — chosen for its ecological suitability in arid terrain.
The campaign was originally launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024 , asking citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers.
The initiative aligns with India's Paris Agreement NDC commitments and the National Afforestation Programme .
The 2026 monsoon season is expected to see the campaign expand to additional states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree plantation campaign on Saturday, 4 July 2026, planting a Khejri sapling at Pachpadra in Balotra district, Rajasthan, reaffirming his government's commitment to citizen-led afforestation.
Posting on X, the Prime Minister wrote in Hindi: 'Paryavaran sanrakshan ke liye prayas hum sabhi ka dayitva hai.' ('The effort for environmental protection is the responsibility of all of us.') He added that he was fortunate to get the opportunity to plant a Khejri sapling at the campaign event in Pachpadra, Balotra.
Context
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign — meaning 'One Tree in the Name of Mother' — was launched by PM Modi on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024, as a nationwide public-participation afforestation initiative. The campaign encourages every Indian to plant a tree as a tribute to their mother, weaving cultural sentiment into environmental action.
The choice of venue, Pachpadra in Balotra, places the event in the ecologically significant arid belt of western Rajasthan, a region where green cover is both sparse and critically important.
Policy Backdrop
The Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is the state tree of Rajasthan, revered for centuries for its resilience in desert conditions, its role in preventing soil erosion, and its value as fodder and shade in arid landscapes. Planting Khejri in Balotra carries deliberate ecological symbolism, suited to the region's climate.
The campaign aligns with India's broader afforestation commitments, including the National Afforestation Programme and India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which set targets for additional carbon sink creation through forest and tree cover.
The 2026 monsoon season is considered a critical window for expanding the campaign's reach across additional states, as soil moisture conditions favour higher sapling survival rates.
Stakeholders and Impact
The campaign directly engages Rajasthan residents, environmental volunteers, school children, and local self-government bodies who are mobilised at the district level to organise plantation drives. In arid districts such as Balotra, community-led tree planting carries additional significance for groundwater recharge and micro-climate stabilisation.
By participating personally, PM Modi lends visible political weight to the initiative, a pattern consistent with his previous participation in plantation drives under the Swachh Bharat and Green India Mission frameworks.
What's Next
The expansion of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam to additional states during the 2026 monsoon season will be a key indicator of the campaign's scaling ambition. State governments, particularly those in rain-shadow and arid zones, are expected to set district-level plantation targets in the coming weeks.
Any parliamentary or state-level afforestation targets announced in the wake of the Balotra event will signal whether the campaign is moving from symbolic participation to measurable policy outcomes.
Point of View
A BJP-governed state, also reinforces the party's on-ground environmental outreach ahead of any upcoming electoral or legislative calendar. The broader arc here is India's effort to demonstrate grassroots climate action that complements its formal NDC commitments under the Paris Agreement.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign?
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, meaning 'One Tree in the Name of Mother', is a nationwide tree plantation campaign launched by PM Modi on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024, encouraging every Indian to plant a tree as a tribute to their mother.
Where did PM Modi plant a tree on 4 July 2026?
PM Modi planted a Khejri sapling at Pachpadra in Balotra district, Rajasthan, during the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign event.
Why was the Khejri tree chosen for planting in Balotra?
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is the state tree of Rajasthan and is well-suited to arid conditions. It helps prevent soil erosion and supports local ecosystems in western Rajasthan's desert belt.
What is India's afforestation target under the Paris Agreement?
India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement include creating an additional carbon sink through increased forest and tree cover, supported by programmes such as the National Afforestation Programme.
How can citizens participate in Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam?
Citizens can participate by planting a sapling — ideally a species suited to their local climate — and dedicating it to their mother, as part of the nationwide campaign promoted by the central government and state administrations.
