Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has launched an ambitious green initiative, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ (EPMKN 2.0) 2025-26, aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability through extensive plantation drives and robust public participation. The state's action plan was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, where senior officials strategized on aligning the campaign with key national missions and ensuring effective coordination at the district level.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Rastogi emphasized that EPMKN 2.0 will be implemented using a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach. He stated that the campaign will align closely with national flagship schemes such as MGNREGA, Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, and the National Green Highways Mission. This convergence is expected to maximize both impact and outreach, fostering ecological sustainability through collective action. He also underscored the importance of conducting a thorough review of last year's plantations to ensure their sustained upkeep and growth and submit a report in this regard.
Plantation as the Core Focus
The 2025-26 campaign will place a major emphasis on massive plantation activities, with a particular focus on school-led initiatives through Eco Clubs for MissionLiFE, under the Department of School Education. The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of involving youth and students, stating that "instilling environmental responsibility at an early age will have long-lasting societal benefits."
In addition to schools, the State Forest Department (SFD), Urban Local Bodies, and the Horticulture, Public Works, and HSVP departments, along with community organizations and volunteers, will actively participate in the plantation drives. These activities will target riverbanks, canal bunds, Amrit Sarovars, and other water bodies, in line with this year’s "Catch the Rain 2025" theme under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan.
District-Level Planning and Execution
To ensure effective on-ground implementation, Chief Secretary Rastogi has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to form District Plantation Committees. These committees will be responsible for identifying plantation sites, assessing land availability, preparing plant demand, and finalizing coordination plans. Each department at the district level has been asked to submit data on available lands suitable for plantation and to collaborate closely with nurseries to meet sapling requirements. They were also directed to prepare a plan regarding the aftercare of planted saplings under the scheme.
The Forest Department has confirmed that 1.81 crore saplings are available for this year's plantation drive across 200 government nurseries in 22 districts. To facilitate access to this information, the department released a ‘Booklet on Forest Nurseries’ on World Environment Day 2025. Details of nursery locations and available planting stock are also accessible on the department’s website, haryanaforest.gov.in.
Technology-Enabled Monitoring
The state will utilize technology for real-time monitoring of plantation activities. Data from school plantations will be captured through a microsite on the Eco Clubs for MissionLiFE portal. All other plantations by the SFD and other departments will be uploaded to the MeriLiFE portal (h ttps://merilife.nic.in), which is managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Mass Awareness and Youth Involvement
The Chief Secretary has also directed district administrations to launch intensive social media campaigns to promote eco-conscious messaging under EPMKN 2.0. Students will be mobilized to carry out plantation drives within and around their school, college, and university campuses, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in local green initiatives.
Haryana’s Green Achievements in 2024–25
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan informed that last year, the state planted 1.87 crore saplings, with 52.21 lakh in urban areas and 134.44 lakh in rural regions. The campaign saw the participation of 51 government departments and lakhs of citizens, reflecting Haryana’s strong commitment to climate action.