Bhubaneswar: As part of the state-wide plantation initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0,” the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department has achieved a remarkable feat by planting more than 35 lakh saplings across Odisha. This forms a substantial contribution to the overall target of 75 lakh, (which ultimately crossed 1cr) saplings planted under the campaign. The drive has been organised to commemorate the 75th birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, making the achievement even more meaningful.
The Department ensured that in every Gram Panchayat, 500 saplings were planted with the active involvement of the community. This systematic approach converted the plantation exercise into a mass movement at the grassroots level. From the early hours of the day, citizens from all walks of life—ranging from local communities and PRI members to departmental officers and field functionaries—enthusiastically participated in the programme, giving it the character of a state-wide people’s campaign.
The achievement is not merely numerical. The Department has followed a well-structured strategy to ensure that the plantation activity is meaningful and sustainable. Local conditions were taken into account while selecting species of saplings so that survival rates remain high. Saplings of fruit-bearing, shade-giving, and environmentally suitable varieties were prioritized to benefit communities in the long run. Panchayat functionaries and local communities have been sensitized to take responsibility for watering, protecting, and nurturing the saplings during the initial months, which are most critical for their growth.
Special emphasis was laid on community mobilization. Women Self-Help Groups under Mission Shakti, youths, school students, and volunteers actively took part in the plantation activities. PRI members played a leading role in guiding and motivating citizens to join the campaign, making it a true example of participatory governance.
The Department has also integrated this initiative with its developmental schemes. Plantation works have been dovetailed with MGNREGS activities, ensuring wage support for rural households while strengthening environmental sustainability. In many locations, plantations have been carried out near water bodies, village roads, school campuses, and community institutions, thereby improving both the ecological balance and the quality of rural infrastructure.
It is to be noted that the status of each sapling will be closely monitored. A photograph of every planted sapling will be uploaded to the Department’s dedicated portal, ensuring transparency and systematic tracking. Additionally, funds for the care and maintenance of these saplings over the next three years have been allocated through MGNREGS, guaranteeing their healthy growth and long-term survival.
The Department’s achievement is being widely acknowledged as a historic milestone in community-led environmental action in Odisha. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has provided the vision and encouragement under which this campaign has been carried forward. Hon’ble Minister, PR & DW, Shri Rabi Narayan Naik has highly commended the Department’s efforts, lauding the dedication of officers, staff, PRI members, and the community at large. He congratulated everyone for making the plantation drive a success and for setting a benchmark in environmental stewardship.
Looking ahead, the Department is committed to ensuring the survival and growth of the planted saplings. Monitoring mechanisms have been put in place at the Block and District levels to track plantation sites, assess survival percentages, and take corrective steps wherever necessary. Follow-up care, including watering, soil work, and protective measures, will be taken up in convergence with MGNREGS and other rural development programmes. The objective is not only to plant saplings but also to create lasting green assets that will serve as natural resources for generations to come.
This initiative, therefore, is not only a tribute to collective action but also a gift to Mother Earth. By mobilising lakhs of rural citizens, the PR & DW Department has demonstrated how large-scale community participation can bring about both ecological and social transformation.
It is pertinent to note that the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has also been launched today. Continuing till October 2nd, the campaign calls upon citizens across the state to undertake Shram Daan for sanitation and cleanliness, reinforcing the government’s focus on both environmental protection and public health. The plantation campaign, in conjunction with Swachhata activities, highlights the Department’s commitment to creating a clean, green, and sustainable Odisha.
