Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to create a rare record on September 17, the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by planting 75 lakh saplings across the state in a single day.
The massive initiative will see the participation of around 15 lakh students from 40,000 schools, guided by 2 lakh teachers, making it one of the largest student-led plantation drives in the country.
The plantation programme will run from 5 am to 5 pm at 37,000 designated locations, coordinated at the panchayat and school levels. Photos of planted saplings will be uploaded on the Meri Life portal, with training on the uploading process scheduled for September 11.
Presiding over a high-level preparatory meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest, Environment and Climate Change) Satyabrata Sahu said the initiative will not only mark the Prime Minister’s milestone birthday but also launch a “green revolution” in Odisha led by students.
“Students are the beacons of green consciousness. With their enthusiasm and collective strength, this massive plantation drive can succeed and turn into a long-term mass movement for a green, safe, and healthy Odisha,” he said.
The programme will also see competitions at the high school level on tree plantation and environmental protection, with prizes to be distributed on September 17.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Dr. Arabinda Padhee emphasized that planting a sapling alone is not enough. “Students can adopt trees as their personal responsibility—watering, protecting, and nurturing them until they grow. The Horticulture Department will provide free indigenous fruit saplings, with maintenance planned for the next three years,” he added.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, Shalini Pandit said community development officers will coordinate with school authorities to allocate planting locations, while Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Secretary Girish S.N. informed that banners will be displayed at all plantation sites.
The event will be organized under the national campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0.” Chief Executive Officer of KAMPA, G. Rajesh, presented detailed plans for the drive during the meeting.
Senior officials, including Ananya Das, State Project Director, OSEPA, and K.S. Pradeep, Director, Environment, shared their inputs, while all District Education Officers joined via video conference to update on preparations.
With lakhs of students set to become “green ambassadors,” the September 17 plantation drive is being hailed as a landmark step toward environmental conservation and mass participation in Odisha.
