Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday launched the second phase of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, aiming to plant 10 crore trees through educational institutions across the country.

Highlighting the importance of environmental consciousness among the youth, Pradhan said the new phase of the campaign must become a mass movement to help India meet its net-zero target by 2070 and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Last year, educational institutions contributed by planting over 5 crore trees, and this year we must double the momentum,” the minister stated.

Alongside the campaign, Pradhan also unveiled dedicated websites for Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0. These platforms are designed to raise environmental awareness among students and instill sustainable, climate-conscious behaviour.

He emphasised that India, historically, has not been a major polluter, and its civilisation has always upheld the idea of the world as one family.

A unique aspect of the campaign involves planting a tree in the name of one’s mother, symbolising her nurturing role and underlining the need for environmental stewardship.

Students can now participate in the campaign through a dedicated microsite integrated into the Mission LiFE portal. After planting a sapling with their mother, they can upload a selfie along with a simple form. In return, they’ll receive an e-certificate featuring the image.

The microsite also offers real-time progress tracking, helping authorities assess the campaign’s ground-level impact effectively.

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