Shivraj Plants Sapling Under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on World Environment Day
Synopsis
On World Environment Day 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted a sapling in memory of his late mother under PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, urging all citizens to plant at least one tree to mark the occasion.
Key Takeaways
Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted a sapling on World Environment Day, 5 June 2026 , under PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.
The sapling was dedicated to his late mother, Smt.
Sundar Bai Chouhan .
PM Narendra Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign on World Environment Day 2024 , linking maternal reverence with afforestation.
Chouhan urged every citizen to plant at least one sapling to make World Environment Day meaningful.
The initiative is part of India's broader national green missions, amplified each year through high-profile ministerial participation.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday, 5 June 2026 — World Environment Day — planted a sapling in memory of his late mother, Smt. Sundar Bai Chouhan, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign, urging citizens across the country to follow suit.
Context
Posting in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter), Chouhan drew a cultural parallel between motherhood and nature, writing: 'Maa ki god ne jeevan diya aur prakriti ki chhaon use saans de rahi hai' — 'A mother's lap gave us life, and nature's shade keeps us breathing. Perhaps that is why in our tradition the earth itself is called mother.'
He dedicated the sapling explicitly to Smt. Sundar Bai Chouhan, describing the act as 'a tribute of reverence, values, and a pledge for the safe future of coming generations.' He closed with a direct call to action: 'Let us make World Environment Day meaningful — do plant at least one sapling.'
Policy Backdrop
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign on World Environment Day 2024, calling on every Indian to plant a tree as a living tribute to their mother and to the concept of Dharti Maa (Mother Earth). The campaign is designed to weave cultural sentiment into afforestation goals under India's broader green missions.
Senior Union ministers and state governments have since used the annual 5 June observance to visibly participate in plantation drives, reinforcing the message from the top of the political executive and encouraging public compliance with national environmental targets.
Stakeholders and Impact
The campaign's primary audience is the general citizenry, with Union ministers acting as visible role models. By linking the act of planting to maternal devotion — a sentiment that cuts across region, language, and community — the initiative aims to lower the psychological barrier to participation for ordinary households.
Chouhan, as a four-term former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and a senior BJP leader with a large grassroots following, carries particular symbolic weight in mobilising participation in the Hindi heartland. His public dedication of the sapling to his late mother adds a personal dimension intended to make the appeal more relatable.
What's Next
State governments are expected to report sapling-plantation tallies under the campaign in the days following World Environment Day 2026. Any new afforestation targets or financial allocations for the next financial year under related green missions will be watched as a measure of the campaign's institutional depth beyond its symbolic visibility.
Point of View
The universally resonant figure of the mother — to drive compliance with policy goals that might otherwise feel bureaucratic. By personally dedicating the sapling to his late mother, he transforms a government campaign into a moment of individual grief and devotion, making the ask feel moral rather than administrative. As a leader with deep roots in the Hindi heartland, his endorsement is likely to carry more mobilising weight in rural and semi-urban constituencies than any official circular. The pattern signals that the government sees 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' as a durable annual ritual rather than a one-off event.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) is a nationwide tree-plantation campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, urging every Indian to plant a tree as a tribute to their mother and to Mother Earth.
Why did Shivraj Singh Chouhan plant a sapling on 5 June 2026?
Chouhan planted the sapling to mark World Environment Day 2026 and to participate in PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, dedicating it to his late mother Smt. Sundar Bai Chouhan as a gesture of reverence and environmental commitment.
Who is Sundar Bai Chouhan?
Smt. Sundar Bai Chouhan was the late mother of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in whose memory he planted the sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.
When is World Environment Day observed?
World Environment Day is observed every year on 5 June. It is a global event focused on raising awareness and encouraging action for the protection of the environment.
How can citizens participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
Citizens are encouraged to plant at least one sapling — ideally dedicated to their mother — and share their participation, especially on World Environment Day, in response to PM Modi's national call under the campaign.
