New Delhi — Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the second phase of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign along with a suite of initiatives designed to mainstream environmental education across schools. Addressing a gathering in the capital on the occasion of World Environment Day, Pradhan inaugurated the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE web portal, a microsite for Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, and special modules tailored for school students.
Speaking at the event, Pradhan emphasized the role of Eco Clubs in shaping a climate-conscious generation. “Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE in schools will sensitize students to concerns related to environment and climate change,” he said, highlighting how the initiative will instill values of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and behavioural change in young minds.
Referring to the broader national objective, the Minister underlined, “The next generation must be guided in achieving Net Zero 2070 and the Sustainable Development Goals.” He added that under NEP 2020, the Ministry of Education is actively working to embed environmental consciousness within the curriculum, transforming students into responsible ‘pro-planet’ citizens.
Pradhan also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “India has never been a polluting nation. We consider the whole world our family,” he said, while also acknowledging PM Modi’s vision for achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, with 2047 as a key milestone on the road to a Viksit Bharat.
He noted that over 5 crore trees were planted last year by educational institutions across India, and this year, the target has been doubled to 10 crore under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0. “This campaign must become a people’s movement,” he urged, calling on citizens to plant a sapling in honour of their mother and upload a selfie on the newly launched microsite (https://ecoclubs.education.gov.in).
Also present at the launch, Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar remarked on India’s indigenous environmental ethos. “Unlike Western philosophies that aim to dominate nature, Indian knowledge systems teach us to coexist like a child with a caring mother,” he said. He credited the NEP 2020 for championing this worldview and praised Shri Pradhan’s leadership in promoting sustainable education.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood noted that World Environment Day was more than a symbolic occasion. “It is a moment to reflect on the challenge of rising temperatures and the opportunity to shift our lifestyles towards sustainability,” he said. He described Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as not just a plantation drive, but an emotional and scientific journey to inspire youth.
Secretary of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar, called on all schools to establish Eco Clubs before July 29, 2025 — the fifth anniversary of NEP 2020. He underscored the importance of the seven themes of Mission LiFE in cultivating mindful consumption and sustainable habits.
Earlier in the day, Pradhan planted a sapling at his residence to demonstrate his personal commitment to the green movement. He encouraged all citizens to join the campaign by planting a tree in their mother’s name and uploading a selfie to receive a digital certificate.
The three newly launched modules for preparatory, middle, and secondary stages offer interactive tools — from puzzles to field-based research — to help students connect the nurturing role of their mothers with that of Mother Earth. These modules also introduce QR code tagging of flora, School Nutrition Gardens, and real-world sustainability activities.
The multilingual web portal will enable over 14.7 lakh schools to document and monitor their Eco Club activities under the seven themes of Mission LiFE. Each school will have its own dashboard for uploading event details and campaign outcomes. The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam microsite will provide real-time campaign data and issue personalized e-certificates upon photo submission.
With the combined push from government, educational institutions, and students, Pradhan expressed hope that India would lead by example in combating climate change through grassroots involvement. “Planting a tree in the name of your mother is not just symbolic — it’s an act of commitment to future generations,” he concluded.
