Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, marked the completion of five times of his 'One Plant Per Day’ resolution at a special program held at A.P. Shinde Hall in New Delhi. The event celebrated the elaboration of a particular environmental pledge into what's now being envisaged as a civil green mass movement.

Five Times of 'One Factory Per Day’ and a National Green Vision

Describing the corner as a step toward expanding a particular oath into a people's crusade, Shri Chouhan blazoned that all programs under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare would begin with tree colonies. He also prompted institutions to replace traditional memorials with photos of planted saplings. The action aligns with broader themes of environmental conservation, tree colony drive, climate action in India, sustainable development, and green mass movement, which formed the core communication of the event.

The program was attended by prominent personalities, including spiritual leader Sadhvi Ritambhara, environmentalist Anil Joshi, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Dr. M.L. Jat, Smt. Sadhana Singh, and elderly intelligence officer Ashutosh Jha. The event commenced with a tree colony on the Pusa lot, emblematizing the commitment being supported from the stage.

From Narmada Seva Yatra to the 'Ankur' crusade

Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan said his environmental commitment was shaped over time rather than inspired by a single moment. He recalled the 2017 Narmada Seva Yatra, during which further than six crore saplings were planted across Madhya Pradesh, transubstantiating swash and timber conservation into a public movement.

Structure on that instigation, the 'Ankur Campaign’ was launched to encourage citizens to plant saplings, upload photos on a devoted gate, and pledge to nurture them. Around one crore shops were reportedly planted under this action, drawing participation from colorful sections of society. Over time, the crusade expanded beyond Madhya Pradesh, with people marking birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions by planting trees. 

Tree Plantation to Mark Every Official Programme

In a major advertisement, Shri Chouhan directed that every program of the Agriculture Ministry would now begin with a tree colony. Addressing ICAR officers, he emphasized that all forums, conferences, and events under the council must commence only after planting a tree. He further stated that agrarian university convocations would start with a sapling colony, with scholars taking a lifelong pledge to plant a tree on their birthdays.

He added that Krishi Vigyan Kendras, husbandry sodalities, and exploration-related events should borrow the same practice. According to him, this simple structural change could naturally result in the planting of a large number of saplings and embed environmental responsibility into institutional culture.

Replacing memorials with saplings

Shri Chouhan also blazoned a particular decision to decline flowers, roquelaures, libraries, and memorials during public salutes. Rather, he requested that organizations plant saplings and shoot photos as a mark of respect. He observed that conventional honors frequently outlive their emblematic value, whereas trees planted in their place produce a lasting environmental heritage.

He suggested that rather than spending on conventional memorials, institutions could plant multiple saplings and devote them as a gesture of felicitation. The offer was presented as a practical way to align public functions with environmental precedences.

Tree Bank and National Digital Platform

Expanding the frame of the movement, the Union Minister proposed the creation of a "Tree Bank" to grease donations for a large-scale sapling colony. Under this model, contributing institutions or individuals could fund the purchase and conservation of saplings, while a designated agency would manage planting and protection.

He also suggested establishing a public platform, conceivably named 'Ankur' or 'Sambhavna,' where citizens could register to plant or finance trees on significant particular dates. Civic residents could contribute a fixed amount to have a sapling planted in their name and admit photographic attestation and position details. According to him, while the country has no deficit of willing benefactors, it requires a systematized system to restate goodwill into sustained action.

Public Participation Through Missed Call System

To widen participation, Shri Chouhan proposed a missed call medium for citizens to join the crusade. Those registering interest could be invited to colony drives and mindfulness programs. He described tree colony as a form of service not only to humanity but to the entire ecosystem, noting that trees support oxygen generation, biodiversity, downfall, and swash systems.

From Personal Discipline to Public Movement

Shri Chouhan began his 'One plant Per Day’ pledge on February 19, 2021, on Narmada Jayanti at Amarkantak, planting Rudraksh and Sal saplings on the banks of the Narmada. Over five times, he has planted further than 6,000 saplings without interruption, maintaining the practice through the Covid-19 epidemic and during his term as Chief Minister and later as Union Minister.

Concluding the event, he stated that India’s large population is its topmost strength, asserting that indeed a bit of citizens espousing a regular tree colony could affect crores of trees. The program ended with a collaborative pledge by attendees, buttressing the vision of transubstantiating a particular environmental discipline into a civil green crusade.