Kolkata: The state is set to roll out the ‘Ekti Gaachh Maa-er Naam-e’ drive across Bengal on Friday, World Environment Day, with a target of planting 1.1 crore saplings by March 2027. This project aligns with the Prime Minister’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ national initiative launched in 2024.
Involvement of Students and Schools
Under the project in Bengal, the forest department plans to engage a community of 1.8 crore students across 84,000 government-funded or aided schools and 10,000 private institutes. The schools have been directed to introduce ‘green ambassadors’ who will lead the drive on their campuses and in their neighborhoods, as mentioned in a notice issued by the additional chief secretaries of both school education and forest departments.
Targets and Implementation
According to Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Raju Das, the forest and environment departments are the nodal departments for the drive. Targets were set at various levels for June 5. He stated, “At each district or Kolkata Municipal Corporation level, the target is 5,000 seedlings; 100 seedlings for block level; 200 for municipality level; 300 seedlings for borough level; and 1,000 seedlings per MLA. We aim to exceed the 1.1-crore target set until March 2027.”
The state has also reached out to corporates to surpass the target set for Bengal. The initiative seeks to enhance green cover and environmental awareness among the youth, contributing to a sustainable future.
