The Ministry of Coal, under its ongoing program ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, today conducted a grand plantation drive at Millennium Park as part of its general program ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’. This program is in line with the national program to promote a clean and green environment. This event saw active participation of senior officials, including Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri V.L. Kanta Rao leads the drive by planting saplings. His participation, along with the Ministry’s staff, demonstrated the Ministry’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign is part of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to increase environmental awareness and action across the country. The Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri J. Kishan Reddy officially inaugurated the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 on 25 July 2024 from Bharat Coking Coal Limited, Dhanbad.
On launch day, coal and coal-fired power plants combined to plant and distribute more than one million plants. Progress continued and as of 31 August 2024, more than 3.3 million plants had been planted on 1,388 hectares of land in and around coal mining sites. work for the financial year 2024-25. The establishment of the farm is a clear demonstration of the Ministry of Coal’s commitment to sustainability in addition to the important role it plays in increasing coal production to meet the country’s energy needs. Over the last five years, Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have planted an impressive 24 million saplings across 10,942 hectares of land, with a particular focus on areas affected by mining activities. These efforts are not only aimed at offsetting carbon footprints but also play a crucial role in combating climate change and enhancing the ecological health of mining regions. In addition to its massive plantation efforts, the Ministry of Coal has also taken up various other environmental initiatives. These include extensive land reclamation projects and the development of eco-parks, which help restore biodiversity and promote green spaces within industrial areas. Plantation drive stands as another step forward in furthering the national vision of a Swachh Bharat, ensuring that economic growth through coal production is balanced with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The Ministry’s clean and green efforts will benefit the nation.