NEW DELHI, 23 February 2026: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan marks the completion of five years of his ‘One Plant Per Day’ resolution at a special programme held at A.P. Shinde Hall, Pusa campus, New Delhi, turning a personal environmental vow into a proposed nationwide green movement.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan announces that all programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture will now begin with tree plantation. He directs the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to ensure every seminar, conference and convocation under its institutions starts with planting a sapling. Agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and research events will adopt the same practice.
From Narmada Seva Yatra to National Movement
Recalling the 2017 Narmada Seva Yatra in Madhya Pradesh, where over six crore saplings were planted, Chouhan traces the roots of his green campaign. He highlights the ‘Ankur Campaign’, which encouraged citizens to upload photos of planted saplings and pledge protection — resulting in nearly one crore plantations.
The event is attended by spiritual leader Didi Maa Ritambhara, environmentalist Anil Joshi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat and other dignitaries, who collectively plant saplings on the Pusa campus.
No Mementos, Only Saplings
In a symbolic move, Chouhan announces he will no longer accept garlands, shawls or mementos. Instead, he urges institutions to plant saplings and present photographs as a form of felicitation. “A tree is a life-giving legacy,” he says.
Tree Bank and ‘Ankur’ Platform
The Minister proposes the creation of a ‘Tree Bank’ model where donors can fund sapling purchases and institutional plantation drives. He also suggests a national digital platform — possibly named ‘Ankur’ — enabling citizens to plant trees on birthdays, anniversaries and memorial days, even remotely.
Having planted over 6,000 saplings since taking the vow on Narmada Jayanti in 2021, Chouhan calls upon citizens to transform individual resolutions into a mass movement for environmental protection.
