CHIEF Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, on Friday, launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2026’ campaign with the resolve to protect and enhance the environment and give a new expansion to the greenery of the State. Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Chhattisgarh organised a programme at Rajeev Smriti Van in the State Capital on the occasion of the World Environment Day, on Friday. Chief Minister Sai was the chief guest at the programme. Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap presided over the function. The theme of the programme was ‘Inspired by Naturefor Climate, for Our Future’. Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Sai said that it has been targeted to plant 2.5 crore saplings under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2026’. Sai said that the current climate change is a matter of great concern. To address this challenge, the mega-campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign has been launched, he added. Chief Minister Sai urged all the people of the state to plant a sapling in the name of their mother and take full responsibility for its care, so that the foundation of ‘Green Chhattisgarh’ can be made stronger and more prosperous for the coming generations.

 

He encouraged citizens to plant saplings in their homes, farms, fields and other available spaces, transforming the initiative into a mass movement for nature conservation. Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap and Additional Chief Secretary of Forest and Climate Change Department Manoj Kumar Pingua also addressed the programme. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force Arun Kumar Pandey gave the welcome address and highlighted the works of the Forest and Climate Change Department. The Chief Minister also released several books on the occasion. Earlier, the guests planted saplings at Rajeev Smriti Van premises on the occasion. Padma Shree awardes Dr Ramchandra Godbole, Pandi Ram Mandavi and Jageshwar Yadav were felicitated in the programme. Later, a technical session was also held. R K Singh and other speakers shared their views. Chairman of Chhattisgarh Forest Development Corporation Ramsevak Paikra, President of Zila Panchayat Raipur Naveen Kumar Agrawal, Vice-Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tribal, Local Health Traditions & Medicinal Plants Board Anjay Shukla, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Forest Development Corporation Prem Kumar, senior officers and people in large number were present on the occasion.