Raipur, June 5, 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said in a World Environment Day event that the unchecked tree felling and environmental imbalance are becoming serious challenges for all of humanity.
While launching the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in Mother’s Name) campaign for 2026-27 at a state-level event held at Rajiv Smriti Van in the capital, Raipur, on World Environment Day today the Chief Minister remarked that the bond between nature and human life is inseparable.
He reiterated that indiscriminate tree felling and environmental imbalance pose a grave challenge to humanity. In such times, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, serves as an inspiring and emotional initiative aimed at transforming environmental conservation into a mass movement.
Sai conveyed a message of environmental conservation by planting a Krishna Vat (Banyan) sapling. On this occasion, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap also participated in the campaign by planting a Bel sapling.
The Chief Minister noted that while a target of planting 2.5 crore saplings was set for the state last year, over 3.5 crore saplings were planted thanks to public participation and departmental efforts. He expressed confidence that the people of the state would set a new record this year by planting far more saplings than the set target.
Sai highlighted that Chhattisgarh is among the states where approximately 44 per cent of the area is covered by forests. Through the sustained efforts of the state government and the Forest Department, the conservation and expansion of forest areas are continuously progressing.
Urging the people of the state to plant a sapling in their mother’s name—whether in their homes, fields, courtyards, or along farm boundaries—the Chief Minister emphasized that environmental conservation is not merely a government obligation but the moral responsibility of every citizen.
Referring to the nature conservation traditions of the tribal community, he noted that tribal groups have protected forests for centuries, regarding them as an integral part of their culture and lives. The worship of trees as deities at Sarna sites stands as a living example of our cultural faith in nature and our spirit of conservation.
At the event, the Chief Minister honoured Padma Shri awardees Pandi Ram Mandavi, Jageshwar Yadav, and Dr. Ramchandra Godbole for their remarkable contributions to social service and public welfare. He remarked that the lives of these distinguished individuals serve as inspiring examples of social service, dedication, and commitment to the public good.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released several books published by the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, including The Baiga, Wetlands of Chhattisgarh, Floral Diversity of Bijapur Division, Mammals of Chhattisgarh, and Unique Tourist Destinations of Northern Chhattisgarh and Their Diversity.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap stated that the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign is a unique way to express gratitude towards nature and motherhood. He called upon the people of the state to transform this campaign into a mass movement.
Congratulating the residents on the Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district receiving the status of a Ramsar Site, he described it as a proud achievement for Chhattisgarh.
During the programme, Chandanbati Kola from Silibahar village in Bhanupratappur block shared information about the innovations being undertaken by self-help groups in the fields of forest conservation and organic farming. She mentioned that natural and organic farming is being practiced across 138 acres in the village; this initiative has completely halted the migration of youth and given a new direction to environmental conservation.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest Manoj Pingua and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Arun Kumar Pandey also addressed the gathering. Dignitaries present on the occasion included Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation Chairman Ramsevak Paikra, Vice-Chairman of the Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board Anjay Shukla, BJP MLA Motilal Sahu, and Zila Panchayat President Naveen Agrawal, alongside a large number of public representatives, officials, and prominent citizens.
