On 12 July 2026, a nationwide mega tree plantation campaign was held under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative to promote environmental conservation.
- Uttar Pradesh created a record by planting over 35.27 crore saplings in a single day, exceeding the target of 35 crore by 27.89 lakh saplings.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Vriksharopan Maha Yagya in Gorakhpur, planting Neem, Peepal, Banyan (Triveni) and Maulshri saplings.
- The campaign covered all 18 divisions and 75 districts with participation from government departments, NGOs, students, and the public.
- Earlier, the state had planted over 5 crore saplings on World Environment Day (5 June 2026), taking the total plantation in 2026 to over 40.29 crore saplings.
- The drive was coordinated by 27 departments, with the Forest Department planting the highest number (15.5 crore saplings).
Other major initiatives across India included:
- Home Minister Amit Shah led a plantation drive in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where over 1.25 crore saplings were planted. He announced a target to increase the constituency’s green cover to 20% by 2029 by promoting indigenous trees.
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, speaking at the Vriksh Mitra Programme in New Delhi, highlighted the importance of “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, Mission LiFE, and India’s commitment to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070.
- In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav launched a drive to plant 21 lakh saplings and establish 51,000 rainwater harvesting units to strengthen environmental protection and water conservation.
