One Plant Per Day resolution completes 5 years: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s ‘green’ vow now heading towards a national mass movement
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the completion of five years of his ‘One Plant Per Day’ resolution through a special programme today at A.P. Shinde Hall, Pusa, New Delhi. The programme has given birth to concrete steps towards transforming his personal vow into a national ‘green’ mass movement. From the stage, he issued directives to begin all programmes of his departments with tree plantation, appealed to give photos of planted trees instead of mementos during welcomes, and proposed concepts like Tree Bank and the ‘Ankur’ platform.
The event was attended by Sadhvi Didi Maa Ritambhara, environmentalist Dr. Anil Joshi, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Dr. M.L. Jat, Smt. Sadhana Singh, senior journalist Shri Ashutosh Jha, and other dignitaries. All guests performed tree plantation in the Pusa campus premises at the beginning of the occasion.
From Narmada journey to ‘Ankur Campaign’: The ‘green’ background
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the gathering during the programme that this resolution did not arise from an emotional inspiration of a single day, but from an environmental vision developed over years. During the historic Narmada Seva Yatra led by him in 2017, more than 6 crore plants were planted in Madhya Pradesh at its conclusion, which transformed river, forest, and climate conservation into a mass movement. In the same sequence, the ‘Ankur Campaign’ was launched, in which citizens were encouraged to plant a sapling, upload its photo/selfie on the portal, and take a pledge for its protection; through this campaign, approximately 1 crore plants were planted, and various sections of society joined this green journey. Over time, this initiative has progressed from Madhya Pradesh to acquire national and international dimensions; on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, special occasions, people have planted trees and made this journey their personal celebration.
Every programme to start with tree plantation
Shri Chouhan announced from the stage that:
• All programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture will now begin with tree plantation.
• Addressing the DG of ICAR, he said: “Every programme, seminar, conference, and event under ICAR will start only after planting a tree.”
• In the convocations of agricultural universities, trees will be planted first, and students will be made to pledge that they will plant a sapling on their birthday throughout their lives.
• Any event related to KVKs, agriculture colleges, and research will begin by planting a tree.
He said that when the agriculture department starts every programme by planting a tree, a large number of plants will naturally be planted in this way, and there could be no better beginning than this.
No more mementos, ‘Plant a tree and send photo’: A new tradition of honour
Shri Shivraj Chouhan shared an important personal decision regarding himself, stating that henceforth he will not accept flowers or garlands, shawls, or mementos in his welcomes. He said that often the honour is more for the position than the person, and when the position ends, the same crowd disappears; therefore, it is necessary to come out of this illusion. If any institution or individual wants to welcome him, instead of a Rs. 500 memento, they should plant five saplings and gift him the photo – that alone will be a true felicitation for him. He also said that cloth shawls or garlands have no use afterwards, whereas trees planted with the same expense become a life-giving legacy for coming generations. He gave a clear message that his ministry and other organisers should adopt the tradition of planting trees and giving photos instead of mementos.
Tree Bank and ‘Ankur’ platform: From resolution to mega-campaign framework
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan proposed the concept of a Tree Bank, under which donors or institutions can contribute funds to purchase large numbers of saplings. A dedicated institution will take responsibility for digging pits, planting saplings, and protecting them, so that even those who do not have time can participate in tree plantation through donation. He suggested creating a national platform, which could be named ‘Sambhavna’ or ‘Ankur’, where citizens can register to plant or get a sapling planted on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, children’s anniversaries, birth or death anniversaries of dear ones. People living in metros can get a tree planted in their name by paying a fixed amount (such as Rs. 100–150), and in return, they will be sent a photo of that tree and information about its location. He said that there is no shortage of donors in the country; the shortage is only of working hands and an organised platform; if this system is established, resolutions like ‘One Plant Per Day’ can transform into a mega-campaign.
Missed call system idea for public participation
Shri Chouhan proposed that a missed call number be fixed for citizens interested in joining the campaign. Whoever gives a missed call or sends a message on this number can later be involved in special programmes, collective tree plantations, and training activities, so that this movement progresses not out of compulsion, but through voluntary spirit and inspiration. He said that just like serving the differently-abled, children, and other sections is service, planting trees is also service – in fact, service to the entire world, because a tree means oxygen, shelter for animals, rain and rivers – conservation of the entire life chain.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: From personal vow to mega public participation campaign
In the end, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India’s population of 140–144 crore is not a weakness but the greatest strength; if only 2–5 crore people out of these join the tree plantation movement, crores of trees can be planted, and India can become a guide for the world. He said that how many days life has is not in anyone’s hands, but dedicating the remaining breaths to a better world, our country, and our people is in our hands. He appealed to people to take at least some resolution – daily, monthly, or on special occasions – and internalize the spirit of ‘One Plant Per Day’ at their own levels to make life meaningful. The attendees collectively took a pledge for tree plantation.
Sadhvi Didi Maa Ritambhara, in her inspiring address, linked trees to the soul of Sanatan culture and made an emotional appeal that instead of ostentatious expenses, fireworks, and momentary celebrations, people should consider tree plantation as the “true yajna” on their auspicious occasions and protect every sapling with the same dharma as we observe temple vows.
Dr. Anil Joshi said that the movements raised by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan are to change the visual landscape of the country, connect people with positivity, and work for nature.
Senior journalist, writer, and thinker Shri Ashutosh Jha appealed to everyone to adopt Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tree plantation vow in life on this occasion, saying that in today’s hectic life, trees give peace to everyone; trees are not just plants, but they connect generations. He said that planting trees is a virtuous deed, everyone should have attachment to trees, and we should protect nature.
Daily tree plantation: From resolution to practice
On Narmada Jayanti (February 19, 2021) at Amarkantak, by planting ‘Rudraksh’ and ‘Sal’ saplings on the banks of Narmada, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan took this resolution that he would plant at least one sapling daily, which he has fulfilled without break for five years, and during this period, more than 6,000 saplings have been planted. From the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic to his busy public life as Chief Minister and now as Union Minister, domestic and international travels – in no circumstance has this sequence broken, and tree plantation has remained a permanent part of his daily routine and environmental message. Many people take vows for environmental protection, but the consistency and willpower required to incorporate it into life is rarely seen, and the ‘One Plant Per Day’ resolution is a living example of that consistency.
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RC/MS/HR/MK