Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable feat that combined environmental action with social mobilization, Odisha has set a new world record by planting over 1.49 crore saplings in a single day under the statewide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in the Name of Mother). The mega plantation drive was organized to mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ambitious initiative, envisioned as a tribute to both Janani Maa (biological mothers) and Dharti Maa (Mother Earth), not only achieved its target of 75 lakh saplings well before the scheduled time but also doubled the figure, drawing praise from across the country and abroad.
Target Achieved Ahead of Schedule
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, had earlier appealed to citizens to plant 75 lakh saplings across the state between sunrise and sunset on September 17. Demonstrating overwhelming enthusiasm, people from all walks of life turned the campaign into a mass movement.
Remarkably, the official target was achieved as early as 1:33 pm, several hours before sunset. By 4:30 pm, the cumulative tally had crossed 1,49,11,339 saplings across 30 districts of the state, creating a global record. Plantation activities were conducted simultaneously at 71,924 designated sites, turning the day into one of the largest green drives ever recorded.
The state-level inauguration ceremony was held at Ekamra College campus in Bhubaneswar, where Chief Minister Majhi planted a amla sapling to formally launch the campaign. Symbolically dedicating the act to one’s mother, he urged every citizen to plant and nurture a tree in the memory of their mothers, treating it as a member of their own family.
On the 75th birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, we set a target of planting 75 lakh saplings in Odisha under the campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”. With the extraordinary spirit and wholehearted participation of the people, we have not only met but surpassed… pic.twitter.com/o5CccISk4q
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) September 17, 2025
“This plantation is the most valuable gift we can offer to Prime Minister Modi, to Mother Earth, and to future generations,” the Chief Minister declared. He emphasized that September 17 would not merely be celebrated as a birthday but remembered as a “day of resolve” for environmental conservation.
Massive Public Participation
The campaign witnessed unprecedented participation from students, teachers, and community groups. According to official figures, over 16 lakh students from nearly 40,000 schools and 1,000 colleges joined hands in the plantation drive, while around 2 lakh teachers, 76,000 Anganwadi workers, 17,500 forest protection committee members, 17,000 ASHA workers, and 16,500 MY Bharat volunteers also contributed actively. In addition, 10,000 Eco-club youth members played a pivotal role in grassroots mobilization. Expressing gratitude, Chief Minister Majhi thanked all departments, institutions, voluntary organizations, and citizens who participated wholeheartedly.
Progress of the Campaign
Sharing details on the broader scope of the campaign, Majhi reminded that the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative had been launched in its first phase last year. During 2024, Odisha planted 6.72 crore saplings, ranking fourth nationwide.
This year, in its second phase, the target has been set at 7.5 crore saplings. So far, the state has already planted around 6 crore, with today’s record-breaking effort giving a fresh boost to the mission.
“Planting a sapling is only the first step,” Majhi said. “The real task lies in nurturing it as we would nurture a family member. When these trees grow, flower, and bear fruit, they will enrich the land, provide clean air, and gift future generations with a sustainable environment.”
The Chief Minister referred to Prime Minister Modi as the “Vikas Purush” (Man of Development) and the most popular leader in the world.
Majhi emphasized that Modi, the first Prime Minister born after Bharat’s independence, has dedicated his entire life to the service of Bharat Mata. He highlighted landmark initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Matru Vandana Yojana, and the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi as examples of policies driven by Modi’s commitment to uplift the common people.
“Mother’s blessings have always been the guiding force in Prime Minister Modi’s life,” Majhi stated. “In that spirit, this campaign dedicates a tree to every mother – both biological and to the Earth that sustains us all.”
Before attending the plantation event, Chief Minister Majhi also participated in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and a blood donation camp at Master Canteen Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar. He underscored how the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by PM Modi in 2014, has transformed India’s sanitation landscape and inspired millions to contribute to a cleaner nation.
During the plantation ceremony, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia spoke about the Prime Minister’s patriotism and the far-reaching impact of his policies. Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling and local legislator Babu Singh were also present on the dais.
The record-breaking campaign saw strong participation at the district level, with Sundargarh leading the tally by planting 14,21,618 saplings. Koraput followed with 11,01,624, while Kendujhar recorded 10,42,927.
Mayurbhanj (9,17,659) and Kalahandi (7,67,510) secured the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Debagarh district, with 1,31,885 saplings, stood at the bottom of the table but still made a valuable contribution to the state’s cumulative achievement.
By setting a benchmark of nearly 1.5 crore saplings planted in a single day, Odisha has broken all previous records, surpassing Madhya Pradesh’s 11 lakh and Assam’s 9.26 lakh from previous years.
More than just numbers, this achievement exemplifies collective willpower, environmental stewardship, and civic responsibility. The record has been proposed for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.
For Odisha, however, the true measure of success goes beyond statistics. As CM Majhi summarized, “This is not only about setting a record but about building a greener, cleaner, and self-sustaining Odisha for generations to come.”
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