Malkangiri, 20th Sept 2025: Trees are essential for the protection of our environment. Keeping this in mind, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign was launched on September 17, during which 7.5 million saplings were planted across Odisha.
In Malkangiri district, a target of over 2.16 lakh saplings has been set. This was announced by District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay during the district-level launch event held at MV-7 Jagannathpalli High School.
He informed that while the state government had initially set a target of 1.4 lakh saplings for Malkangiri, the district administration increased the target to over 2.16 lakh saplings, choosing more than 700 locations for plantation.
Starting from 5 AM, the campaign was carried out with the active participation of block and panchayat-level administrative staff, volunteers, students, Self-Help Group (SHG) women, and the general public. The Collector expressed gratitude for the widespread support.
He also mentioned the growing market demand for drumstick (Sajana) and okra (Bhindi). To boost the local economy, drumstick clusters are being promoted in the district.
The Collector stated that the goal of the campaign is not just to green the environment but also to ensure that every village in the district has beneficial trees.
Malkangiri MLA Narsingha Madkami remarked that the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being celebrated across India. In honor of the occasion, 7.5 million saplings are being planted across Odisha in a single day through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign.
The Forest Department and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department played key roles in this initiative. However, MLA Madkami stressed that public participation is essential to make the campaign even more successful.
He further emphasized that planting trees is not enough—there is a need for continued responsibility in terms of care, monitoring, and maintenance. Every government employee and citizen must be accountable for the future of the planted trees.
He recommended planting shade-giving and beneficial trees along roadsides and in personal spaces, including:
Neem, Karanja, Tamarind, Phasi, Arjuna, Harida, Bahada, Jackfruit, Palm, Peepal, Banyan, Ashoka, Jamun, Kadamba, Amla, Devdaru, Sonari, Chakunda, and others.
According to Divisional Forest Officer Sai Kiran, these varieties were chosen for plantation.
The program was attended by:
SP Vinod Patil,
Senior BSF Officers,
Chief Development Officer Naresh Chandra Sabar,
among others.
As part of the campaign, the Labour Department distributed saplings to laborers.
ACF Priyanka Mahuka coordinated the event.
To oversee the progress, a Control Room has been set up at the District Council Office, and plantation data from across the district is being uploaded to the ‘Meri Life Portal’.
To ensure the success of the campaign, responsibilities were assigned to district-level officers by Gram Panchayat.
The event was attended by:
Students and teachers of Jagannathpalli High School,
Assistant District Education Officer,
Forest Department staff,
All district-level officials.