Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 12, 2026, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan led a nationwide plantation drive on Hariyali Amavasya, resulting in over 50,000 saplings being planted across 31 states. Collaborative efforts with the "Vriksh Mitra Parivar" and alignment with the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative focused on securing future generations through environmental conservation. Key action items include the call for citizens to plant trees during personal milestones and for local bodies to designate land for long-term sapling maintenance.
Key Points / Main Content
Campaign Overview and Reach
More than 50,000 saplings were planted across 31 states during a nationwide drive.
The initiative was led by the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development in collaboration with "Vriksh Mitra Parivar."
The primary event took place at the PBG Ground, New Delhi, involving ministers, government officials, farmers, and youth.
Environmental Philosophy and "Vriksh Parv"
The campaign emphasizes that planting is only the first step; the real commitment lies in the survival, protection, and regular care of trees.
Citizens are encouraged to celebrate "Vriksh Parv" by planting trees on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and in memory of parents.
The movement promotes the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" call to inspire personal responsibility for the environment.
Sustainability and Agricultural Links
Environmental health is directly linked to agricultural productivity, specifically regarding soil health and water availability.
The initiative calls for the adoption of "Mission LiFE," focusing on energy conservation and reduced plastic dependence.
Developmental goals must be balanced with infrastructure expansion to preserve green cover.
Administrative and Institutional Participation
Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, are being mobilized to participate in ongoing plantation activities.
The drive included personnel from agricultural universities, ICAR, DARE, and KVKs to build sustained public participation.
Impact Analysis
CitizensImpact
Individuals are being repositioned as active stakeholders in environmental protection rather than passive observers.
Action Required
Plant at least one tree annually, encourage five others to join the campaign, and observe personal milestones through tree plantation.
Panchayats and Urban Local BodiesImpact
These bodies are responsible for the geographic management and sustainability of the green initiative.
Action Required
Identify designated areas for plantation to ensure saplings are protected and maintained over the long term.
Agricultural and Educational InstitutionsImpact
Entities like ICAR, DARE, and schools serve as the backbone for mobilizing youth and providing technical context for soil and water health.
Action Required
Integrate plantation activities into institutional frameworks and encourage collective pledges for environmental conservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: A nationwide tree plantation initiative launched by the Prime Minister to encourage environmental conservation and public participation.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development who led the green initiative and mass plantation drive across 31 states.
Vriksh Mitra Parivar: A nationwide green movement and organization that collaborated with the government to mobilize citizens and drive the plantation campaign.
Mission LiFE: A global mass movement for environmental protection and sustainable living referenced in the document as a key framework for adoption.
Ministry of Rural Development: The primary central ministry responsible for organizing the nationwide plantation drive and environmental sustainability initiatives mentioned.
Ministry of Rural Development
Over 50,000 Saplings Planted Across 31 States
on Hariyali Amavasya Under Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan’s Green Initiative
Vriksh Mitra Parivar Drives Nationwide Plantation Campaign
Under PM Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Call
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Leads Major Tree Plantation Drive
in Delhi on Hariyali Amavasya
Vriksh Mitra Parivar Emerges as the Face of a Nationwide
Green Movement
Planting Trees Means Securing the Future: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
Respect for Nature Is the Best Way to Protect Future
Generations; The Real Commitment Is to Save Trees, Not Just
Plant Them: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Delhi Has Learnt Much from Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s
Green Initiative, Says Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa
Development Must Go Hand in Hand with Environmental
Protection, Says Minister Shri Parvesh Verma
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 4:42PM by PIB Delhi
More than 50,000 saplings were planted across 31 states on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya as part of a
nationwide plantation drive led by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural
Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in collaboration with the “Vriksh Mitra Parivar.” The campaign
drew further momentum from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative.
The program was held at the PBG Ground, Central Ridge, near Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, where
ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, farmers, youth and citizens participated in the
plantation drive. The program began with the watering of saplings and the singing of Vande Mataram,followed by mass plantation. Similar plantation drives were organised across villages, towns, panchayats
and institutions in different parts of the country. Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar played a key role in
mobilising citizens and encouraging them to plant at least one tree.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan said Hariyali Amavasya is not only a religious occasion but also
an opportunity to express gratitude towards nature. He said Indian traditions view human beings, animals,
birds, rivers, mountains and trees as interconnected elements of the natural ecosystem. “Planting a tree is
not just about adding greenery; it is an investment in the future of coming generations,” Shri Chouhan
said, stressing that planting saplings must be accompanied by a commitment to their protection and
regular care. The Union Minister urged every citizen to plant at least one tree each year and encourage five
others to join the campaign. He suggested observing birthdays, wedding anniversaries, the birth of
children and the death anniversaries of parents as “Vriksh Parv” by planting trees.Shri Chouhan also called upon panchayats, urban local bodies and institutions to identify designated areas
for plantation so that saplings can be protected and maintained over the long term. Highlighting the close
link between environmental sustainability and agriculture, Shri Chouhan said environmental degradation
directly affects farming, water availability, soil health and human well-being. He said that for farmers,
access to water and maintaining soil health are as important as the availability of seeds and fertilisers. He
called for greater adoption of Mission LiFE, energy conservation and reduced dependence on plastic to
strengthen environmental protection. “Nature must not be exploited; its resources must be used
responsibly and conserved for the future,” he said.
Delhi government's Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Delhi Government had drawn
valuable lessons from Shri Chouhan’s initiative. He said more than one lakh people in Delhi have been
connected with the campaign, while schools, colleges and other institutions are also being encouraged to
participate in plantation activities. Shri Sirsa said citizens are increasingly coming forward to take a
collective pledge for environmental protection and contribute to the plantation drive.
Delhi government's Cabinet Minister Shri Parvesh Verma said the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative
should inspire every citizen to take responsibility for protecting the environment. He said development
and environmental conservation must go hand in hand, adding that sustainable development requires a
balance between infrastructure expansion and preservation of green cover.The program was attended by Member of Parliament Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary, representatives of
various institutions, officials from agricultural universities, personnel from ICAR, DARE and KVKs, and
a large number of members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar. The nationwide drive was positioned as a tree
plantation exercise as well as an effort to build sustained public participation in environmental
conservation. The campaign emphasised that planting a sapling is only the first step, while ensuring its
survival and growth is an equally important responsibility. Members of the Vriksh Mitra Parivar are
continuing to take this message to communities across the country.
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