Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the completion of five years of his ‘One Plant Per Day’ resolution in New Delhi, announcing a series of measures to transform his personal environmental pledge into a nationwide green mass movement.
Shri Chouhan said the resolution was not a symbolic gesture but a disciplined practice he has followed daily since February 19, 2021, when he planted Rudraksh and Sal saplings at Amarkantak on Narmada Jayanti. Over five years, he has planted more than 6,000 saplings without a break, despite official responsibilities and travel.
He emphasised that the idea stemmed from a long-standing environmental vision shaped during the 2017 Narmada Seva Yatra, when over six crore saplings were planted in Madhya Pradesh. That campaign, he said, converted environmental conservation into a public movement.
Mandatory Tree Plantation at Every Event
Making a policy-level announcement, the minister directed that every seminar, conference and convocation under ICAR and agricultural universities must begin with planting a tree. Students graduating from agricultural institutions will be encouraged to pledge that they will plant a sapling every year on their birthday.
He added that if every official programme in the agriculture and rural development ecosystem starts with plantation, lakhs of trees could be added annually. The initiative, he said, would institutionalise environmental responsibility within governance.
No More Mementos, Only Saplings
In a significant personal decision, Shri Chouhan announced he will no longer accept garlands, shawls or mementos during public events. Instead, he urged organisers to plant trees and send photographs as a mark of respect.
Spending money on symbolic gifts, he argued, serves little purpose, whereas planting saplings creates a lasting legacy for future generations. He appealed to institutions to adopt this tradition as a new culture of honour.
Tree Bank and ‘Ankur’ Platform
To scale up the campaign, the minister proposed the creation of a ‘Tree Bank’ model. Under this concept, donors can contribute funds to support large-scale plantation drives, while designated agencies handle pit preparation, planting and long-term care.
He also outlined plans for a national digital platform such as ‘Ankur’ where citizens can register to plant trees on birthdays, anniversaries or memorial days. People in cities could sponsor saplings by contributing a nominal amount and receive details and photographs of the planted tree.
According to the Press Information Bureau (https://pib.gov.in), the initiative aims to convert individual intent into organised action. The Ministry of Agriculture’s broader environmental initiatives can also be accessed at https://agricoop.nic.in.
Missed Call for Public Participation
To encourage wider involvement, Shri Chouhan suggested introducing a missed-call number for citizens willing to join the movement. Registered participants could later be invited for collective plantation drives and awareness programmes.
He described tree plantation as service to humanity and nature alike, stating that trees provide oxygen, support biodiversity, sustain rivers and regulate climate. Planting trees, he said, is service to the entire life cycle.
Support from Spiritual and Environmental Voices
The event was attended by Sadhvi Didi Maa Ritambhara, environmentalist Dr. Anil Joshi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat and other dignitaries. Speakers praised the initiative as a transformative step towards ecological responsibility.
Sadhvi Ritambhara linked tree plantation with Sanatan cultural values, calling it a “true yajna” for modern times. Environmental experts noted that consistent public participation could significantly improve India’s green cover.
Population as Strength
Shri Chouhan concluded by asserting that India’s large population is its greatest strength. If even a few crore citizens adopt the ‘One Plant Per Day’ spirit, crores of trees can be planted annually.
He urged citizens to dedicate part of their lives to environmental protection, saying that while the length of life is uncertain, contributing to a greener world is within everyone’s control. Attendees collectively took a pledge to support the campaign.