Odisha Govt to Plant 75 Lakh Saplings in a Day to Mark PM Modi’s Birthday

Rapid Summary

• odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a plan to plant 75 lakh saplings in a single day on September 17, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.
• The plantation drive is part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign initiated by PM Modi last year.
• This year’s campaign runs from June 5 to September 30 and aims to plant a total of 7.5 crore trees statewide; Odisha exceeded its previous year’s target by planting 6.72 crore saplings, achieving fourth rank nationally.
• Public participation will be prioritized through collaboration with government departments, PSUs, NGOs, youth organizations, schools/colleges, and self-help groups.An awareness campaign will also promote this initiative as a people’s movement for environmental conservation.
• Climate-resilient and fruit-bearing tree species will be planted based on local ecological conditions while progress data and photos will be tracked via the Meri Life portal; monitoring obligation lies with Panchayat officials.

Indian opinion Analysis
This initiative underscores two significant themes: environmental sustainability and community mobilization in governance projects across India. By tying the plantation drive to PM Modi’s birthday under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ framework, Odisha aims both to celebrate leadership contributions and reinforce environmental commitments aligned with global climate goals. The priority given to involving grassroots institutions like Panchayats reflects an effort towards decentralized implementation-a potentially effective approach for broader dissemination in rural regions known for intricate ecological systems.

A focus on diverse species adapted locally suggests environmental foresight amid climate unpredictability-critical as India navigates increasing instances of droughts or floods tied to climate change patterns. However, ensuring accurate tracking via portals like Meri Life leads into India’s growing reliance on digital governance tools for accountability but raises questions about the accessibility these interfaces ensure across remote areas.

Such ambitious campaigns have implications far beyond record numbers; public participation levels achieved over time could set precedents nationally if translated into other sectors requiring civic engagement.

Read more at: The Hindu