- Public movement under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ crosses a staggering 1.26 crore saplings across the Lok Sabha constituency
- More than 25,000 volunteers, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and citizens script a global conservation milestone
- Amit Shah says Gandhinagar has emerged as a national model for ‘Progress with Nature’ through oxygen parks, afforestation and ecological restoration
- Dahegam APMC Amrit Mahotsav on Monday to further strengthen the green mission with tree plantation and inauguration of a modern vegetable sub-yard
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR/AHMEDABAD, JULY 12
In a landmark achievement that has placed Gujarat on the global environmental map, the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency has entered the Guinness World Records by planting more than 3.61 lakh saplings in a single hour using the scientifically proven Miyawaki method, creating one of the world’s fastest and largest urban afforestation drives through unprecedented public participation.
The record-breaking feat forms the centrepiece of a much larger people’s movement under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, through which citizens across the constituency have already planted over 1.26 crore saplings, reaffirming Gujarat’s emergence as a national benchmark for community-led environmental conservation.
Congratulating the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, more than 25,000 volunteers, participating government agencies and the people of the constituency, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah described the Guinness World Record as a shining example of collective commitment towards safeguarding the environment.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, environmental conservation has today assumed the form of a people’s movement. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign has connected crores of citizens across the country with this great mission of protecting nature. The Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency has infused new energy into this movement by achieving a historic milestone in environmental conservation.”
Calling the achievement a triumph of meticulous planning and public participation, Shah said:
“Creating a Guinness World Record by planting over 3.61 lakh saplings in just one hour through the Miyawaki technique is an outstanding example of public participation, meticulous planning and society’s commitment to environmental conservation.”
The massive plantation campaign has witnessed 11,593,513 saplings planted across 404 public locations, while citizens have planted more than 11 lakh saplings within their private premises.
Among the Assembly segments, Sanand accounted for 53.64 lakh saplings at 186 locations, followed by Gandhinagar North with 18.09 lakh saplings, Kalol with 16.64 lakh, Vejalpur with 17.54 lakh, Ghatlodia with 8.32 lakh, and Sabarmati with over 82,000 saplings, making it one of India’s largest constituency-wide environmental campaigns.
Shah said Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Progress with Nature” and sustainable development is steadily becoming a reality through large-scale tree plantation, restoration of lakes, development of oxygen parks and sustained public participation.
“The Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency has today emerged as an inspiration for the nation in the fields of environmental protection and green development.”
He reminded citizens that the campaign does not end with planting trees.
“Tree plantation does not end with planting saplings; their protection and nurturing are equally important. I appeal to every citizen to join the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, plant more trees and take responsibility for nurturing them. Such public movements will play a vital role in building a Viksit Bharat while ensuring a clean, green and ecologically balanced environment for future generations.”
Green mission continues at Dahegam
The momentum will continue on July 13, when Amit Shah will participate in the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Dahegam, where he will inaugurate a new vegetable sub-yard, plant another sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and release a commemorative publication marking the APMC’s 75-year journey.
The event, to be attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, cooperative leaders and farmers’ representatives, is expected to underline the Centre’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, integrating sustainable agriculture, cooperative development and environmental stewardship.
