changeadminIndia’s Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Mr Shivraj Chouhan, shared an important personal decision, stating that, henceforth, he will not accept flowers, garlands, shawls, or mementoes during his welcomes.
Mr Shivraj Chouhan said that often the honour is more for the position than the person, and when the position ends, the same crowd disappears; therefore, it is necessary to come out of this illusion. If any institution or individual wants to welcome him, instead of a Rs. 500 memento, they should plant five saplings and gift him the photo – that alone will be a true felicitation for him.
The decision was announced while Minister Chouhan was addressing a programme, ‘Trees for Farmers’ Livelihood and Environment’ in New Delhi. The programme has given birth to concrete steps towards transforming his personal vow into a national ‘green’ mass movement.
Addressing the event, he issued directives to begin all programmes of his departments with tree planting, appealed to provide photos of planted trees instead of mementoes during welcomes, and proposed concepts such as Tree Bank and the ‘Ankur’ platform.
The event was attended by Sadhvi Didi Maa Ritambhara, environmentalist Dr Anil Joshi, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Dr M.L. Jat, senior journalist Mr Ashutosh Jha, and other dignitaries.
All guests planted trees on the Pusa campus premises at the beginning of the occasion.
From Narmada journey to ‘Ankur Campaign’: The ‘green’ background
Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the gathering during the programme that this resolution did not arise from an emotional inspiration of a single day, but from an environmental vision developed over the years.
During the historic Narmada Seva Yatra led by him in 2017, more than 6 crore plants were planted in Madhya Pradesh at its conclusion, which transformed river, forest, and climate conservation into a mass movement.
In the same sequence, the ‘Ankur Campaign’ was launched, in which citizens were encouraged to plant a sapling, upload its photo/selfie on the portal, and take a pledge for its protection; through this campaign, approximately 1 crore plants were planted, and various sections of society joined this green journey.
Over time, this initiative has expanded from Madhya Pradesh to take on national and international dimensions; on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and special occasions, people have planted trees and made this journey their personal celebration.
Every programme starts with a tree plantation
Mr Chouhan announced that all programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture will now begin with tree planting, including seminars, conferences, and events under ICAR, which will start only after a tree is planted.
At the convocations of agricultural universities, trees will be planted first, and students will be made to pledge to plant a sapling on their birthday throughout their lives.
Any event related to KVKs, agriculture colleges, and research will begin by planting a tree. He said that when the agriculture department starts every programme by planting a tree, a large number of plants will naturally be planted in this way, and there could be no better beginning than this.
Mr Chouhan added that cloth shawls or garlands have no use after, whereas trees planted at the same expense become a life-giving legacy for future generations. He gave a clear message that his ministry and other organisers should adopt the tradition of planting trees and giving photos instead of mementoes.
Tree Bank and ‘Ankur’ platform: From resolution to mega-campaign framework
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan proposed the concept of a Tree Bank, under which donors or institutions can contribute funds to purchase large numbers of saplings.
A dedicated institution will take responsibility for digging pits, planting saplings, and protecting them, so that even those who do not have time can participate in tree planting through donation.
He suggested creating a national platform, which could be named ‘Sambhavna’ or ‘Ankur’, where citizens can register to plant or get a sapling planted on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, children’s anniversaries, birth or death anniversaries of dear ones.
People living in metros can get a tree planted in their name by paying a fixed amount (e.g., Rs. 100–150), and in return, they will receive a photo of the tree and its location.
He said that there is no shortage of donors in the country; the shortage is only of working hands and an organised platform; if this system is established, resolutions like ‘One Plant Per Day’ can transform into a mega-campaign.
Missed call system idea for public participation
Mr Chouhan proposed that a dedicated call number be set up for citizens interested in joining the campaign. Whoever gives a missed call or sends a message to this number can later be involved in special programmes, collective tree plantations, and training activities, so that this movement progresses not out of compulsion but through a spirit of voluntary participation and inspiration.
He said that just as serving the differently-abled, children, and other sections is service, planting trees is also service – in fact, service to the entire world, because a tree provides oxygen, shelter for animals, rain and rivers, and conserves the entire life chain.
Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan: From personal vow to mega public participation campaign
In the end, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India’s population of 140–144 crore is not a weakness but the greatest strength; if only 2–5 crore people out of these join the tree plantation movement, crores of trees can be planted, and India can become a guide for the world.
He said that how many days life has is not in anyone’s hands, but dedicating the remaining breaths to a better world, our country, and our people is. He appealed to people to take at least some resolution – daily, monthly, or on special occasions – and internalise the spirit of ‘One Plant Per Day’ at their own levels to make life meaningful.
Sadhvi Didi Maa Ritambhara, in her inspiring address, linked trees to the soul of Sanatan culture and made an emotional appeal that instead of ostentatious expenses, fireworks, and momentary celebrations, people should consider tree plantation as the “true yajna” on their auspicious occasions and protect every sapling with the same dharma as we observe temple vows.
Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Anil Joshi, said that the movements led by Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan aim to change the country’s visual landscape, connect people with positivity, and work for nature.
Senior journalist, writer, and thinker, Mr Ashutosh Jha, appealed to everyone to adopt Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tree-planting vow in life on this occasion, saying that in today’s hectic life, trees bring peace to everyone; they are not just plants but connect generations. He said that planting trees is a virtuous deed, everyone should have an attachment to trees, and we should protect nature.
Daily tree plantation: From resolution to practice
On Narmada Jayanti (February 19, 2021) at Amarkantak, by planting ‘Rudraksh’ and ‘Sal’ saplings on the banks of Narmada, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan took this resolution that he would plant at least one sapling daily, which he has fulfilled without break for five years, and during this period, more than 6,000 saplings have been planted.
From the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic to his busy public life as Chief Minister and now as India’s Minister, and from domestic to international travel, in no circumstance has this sequence broken, and tree plantation has remained a permanent part of his daily routine and environmental message.
Many people take vows for environmental protection, but the consistency and willpower required to incorporate it into life are rarely seen, and the ‘One Plant Per Day’ resolution is a living example of that consistency.
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