Sitharaman Plants Sapling Under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam in Bengaluru
Synopsis
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plantation drive at Banappa Park in Bengaluru on 14 June 2026, planting a sapling and paying floral tributes to Kannada poet-saint Devara Dasimayya. The event reflects the BJP-led government's push to expand urban green cover through centrally driven campaigns.
Key Takeaways
Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam sapling plantation drive at Banappa Park, Bengaluru on 14 June 2026 .
The campaign, launched by PM Modi on World Environment Day 2024 , encourages citizens to plant saplings in their mothers' names.
She paid floral tributes to Devara Dasimayya , a 10th–11th century Kannada poet-saint associated with bhakti and Lingayat traditions.
The event paired a national green initiative with recognition of regional cultural heritage, a pattern seen in BJP outreach in southern states.
Bengaluru has active urban forestry programmes that complement centrally promoted plantation campaigns.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in a sapling plantation drive under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative at Banappa Park, Bengaluru, on Sunday, 14 June 2026. She also paid floral tributes to Devara Dasimayya, the revered 10th–11th century Kannada poet-saint.
Context
The post, shared on her official X account, noted in both English and Kannada that Sitharaman took part in the 'Taayi hesarinalli ondu gida' (One sapling in mother's name) campaign at the central Bengaluru park. The bilingual communication underscored the event's local resonance in Karnataka.
Alongside the plantation activity, she offered floral tributes to Sri Devara Dasimayya, a composer of vachanas associated with early bhakti and Lingayat traditions in the Deccan region — a gesture that paired the national green drive with acknowledgement of regional cultural heritage.
Policy Backdrop
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, calling on citizens across India to plant a sapling in their mother's name as a means of expanding green cover and promoting environmental awareness.
Central ministers' participation in state-level events under this campaign has formed a consistent thread in the BJP-led government's push for urban forestry. Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital and India's major technology hub, has active municipal and state programmes for urban forestry and lake restoration that align with such centrally promoted drives.
Stakeholders and Impact
Banappa Park, a public green space in central Bengaluru, serves as a community and civic venue, making it a visible stage for environmental messaging directed at urban residents. Civic groups in the city have been active participants in urban greening initiatives, and a senior Union minister's presence lends additional profile to such efforts.
The tribute to Devara Dasimayya reflects a pattern seen in southern-state engagements by national leaders — linking centrally driven campaigns with figures of deep local religious and literary significance to broaden community connect.
What's Next
The monsoon months ahead are typically the primary planting season in Karnataka, and state and municipal bodies in Bengaluru are expected to intensify tree-plantation targets in the coming weeks. Observers will watch whether Karnataka's urban forestry targets see formal revision in alignment with the national campaign's momentum.
Point of View
Ground-level face in Karnataka, a state where the party has been working to consolidate its presence. Pairing the green drive with a tribute to Devara Dasimayya — a revered figure in Lingayat and bhakti traditions — is a calibrated gesture that connects federal policy optics with local cultural identity. The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, now in its second year, increasingly serves as a soft-power vehicle for senior ministers to engage constituents on non-partisan terrain. With monsoon season approaching, such high-profile participation is likely to intensify as the government seeks measurable plantation numbers ahead of any mid-year environmental progress reviews.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative?
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam is a nationwide tree plantation campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, encouraging citizens to plant a sapling in their mother's name to increase India's green cover.
Where did Nirmala Sitharaman plant a sapling on 14 June 2026?
She planted a sapling at Banappa Park, a public park in central Bengaluru, as part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam drive.
Who is Devara Dasimayya?
Devara Dasimayya was a 10th–11th century Kannada poet-saint and composer of vachanas, associated with early bhakti and Lingayat traditions in the Deccan region. Sitharaman paid floral tributes to him at the same event.
Why is Nirmala Sitharaman participating in plantation drives?
As a senior Union minister, her participation gives national visibility to centrally promoted environmental campaigns at the state level, reinforcing the government's urban greening agenda.
What is Banappa Park in Bengaluru?
Banappa Park is a public green space in central Bengaluru used for community gatherings, recreational activities, and civic or environmental events.
