A tree for the mother and the Aravallis

THERE’S something profoundly hopeful about planting a tree in a mother's name — an act rooted in love, remembrance and life. India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative isn't your typical greenery drive; it invites people to dedicate a sapling to their mothers or maternal figures, blending ecological care with emotional tribute. With Phase 2 of the campaign aiming to plant10 crore trees, the movement is personal and powerful.Environmental campaigns often fail because they speak in statistics, not stories. But ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ brings personal meaning to the climate conversation.But as this green wave spreads, there's a critical question we must ask: Are we planting with wisdom or simply for optics?Haryana was one of the first to set a gold standard in executing 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. The campaign went beyond tokenism. Participants received GPS-tagged saplings dedicated to their mothers along with a digital certificate. These weren't just trees; they were tributes. When a tree is planted in a mother's name, it becomes a living monument.What made Haryana's approach unique was its focus on community care and accountability. Teachers, children, civil servants and families became caretakers. A tree was no longer just a green statistic — it was a relationship. That emotional ownership increased the likelihood of survival. In a society often struggling with ecological fatigue, this initiative brought back hope with heart.On World Environment Day, June 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a banyan sapling at the Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi, symbolically launching the Aravalli Green Wall Project. Stretching 1,400 km across the Aravalli range, the project aims to revive India's oldest fold mountains — an ecological barrier that holds back the Thar Desert, channels monsoon winds, and shelters over 300 plant and 120 bird species.The Aravallis are now bleeding from relentless deforestation, illegal mining and desertification. Illegal quarrying alone has destroyed 25 per cent of Rajasthan's Aravalli hills, and nearly 8 per cent of the entire range was lost by 2019. The scars are visible: dried rivers, depleted groundwater, eroded soils and vanishing biodiversity. The central Aravalli range has lost 32 per cent of its forest cover since 1975 — a brutal blow to climate resilience.The Green Wall initiative offers a lifeline. Starting with 24,990 hectares in Haryana's five districts, it will plant native species, restore 75 water bodies and bolster soil conservation. By 2027, it aims to cover 1.1 million hectares, acting as both a carbon sink and dust barrier for the NCR's toxic air.The project is inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall, a successful example of landscape-level restoration.Scientific voices around the world are urging caution against viewing tree-planting as a cure-all. Environmentalists and ecologists have warned that planting the wrong trees in the wrong places can do more harm than good. For instance, eucalyptus plantations have been known to lower water tables and offer little habitat to native species. Similarly, monoculture tree farms might absorb carbon, but they fail to replicate the rich, layered complexity of natural forests.According to an article published in Ecologi, we must move from "inputs to outcomes" — from counting saplings to assessing restored habitats and resilient ecosystems.For a large-scale initiative like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to make a genuine ecological impact, it must be grounded in science, care and long-term planning. The first principle is planting the right trees in the right places. This means prioritising native species that naturally belong to the region. A neem or babool in Rajasthan fits the landscape and climate, whereas importing alien species like pine or eucalyptus can harm soil health, deplete water and displace local biodiversity. The tree must not only grow, it must also belong.Equally important is ensuring that the saplings survive beyond the ceremonial photo-op. Saplings require water, protection from grazing, healthy soil and care, especially in the first two to three years. Haryana's example of GPS-tagged trees and community-based monitoring is instructive. People were asked to take ownership not just of the planting but also of the nurturing. That emotional investment greatly increased survival rates.In some regions, however, nature may be best left to regenerate on its own. Assisted natural regeneration (ANR) can often restore forests more effectively than manual planting. By protecting patches of existing vegetation, reducing human interference and letting native flora and fauna reclaim the space, we allow ecosystems to heal themselves. This is something that planting drives at times overlook in their haste.We need to go beyond one-year updates and conduct five- and 10-year evaluations. Are the trees thriving? Are they improving groundwater recharge, enhancing biodiversity and cooling the local environment? Restoration is not a one-season affair; it's a generational commitment.Meanwhile, the Green Wall's eco-tourism push —with trekking trails and safaris — could be a double-edged sword. Commercial ventures should never eclipse conservation goals. Strict regulation, limited visitor access and low-impact infrastructure must be the norm, not the exception.Finally, such efforts must be rooted in policy and people. Tree- planting should be integrated into local governance, employment schemes like MGNREGA and school curricula. Most importantly, local communities must see restored forests as their allies, not intrusions. When people benefit from the trees — through fruit, shade, fodder or cleaner air — they will protect them not out of obligation but out of pride.Environmental campaigns often fail because they speak in statistics, not stories. But 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' brings personal meaning into the climate conversation. Environmentalism has long relied on fear: sea level rise, heatwaves, dying species. But this campaign reframes the message: plant trees out of love, not guilt. It makes climate action personal, not abstract.The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and the Aravalli Green Wall show that the most effective climate initiatives are those rooted in emotion, culture and community. India's environmental future cannot rest on planting drives alone. When that happens, we will not just be growing trees, we will also be growing a new relationship with Mother Earth.

A tree for the mother and the Aravallis

Harvinder Khetal

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