Union Cabinet Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav who is in Coimbatore for a key-meeting initiated the planting of over 45 varieties of saplings ranging from mango, to neem, to guava, to mahua on Thursday at the Central Academy for State Forest Service, Coimbatore.

More than 200 saplings were planted here, and the plantation was made under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, also known as Plant for Mother campaign -a unique initiative combining environmental responsibility with a heartfelt tribute to mothers.

The Minister shared that after PM Modi's clarion call on June 5, 2024, over 1 billion saplings have been planted across India under campaign reflecting increased environmental consciousness among people.

Earlier on Wednesday, the minister attended the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on forest land conservation here and interacted with the scientists of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and forest officers in Coimbatore.

He also highlighted the importance of research for improving productivity and quality of tree plantations to increase income of farmers and tree growers.