Vedanta Aluminium to plant 2 lakh saplings across Jharsuguda under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0

Jharsuguda : Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has commenced a mega plantation drive in Jharsuguda in support of the Government of India’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 initiative, bringing together hundreds of government representatives, community members, and employee volunteers with a shared commitment to plant 2 lakh saplings across Jharsuguda.

The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, with the vision of expanding India’s green cover, inspiring sustainable lifestyles and combating climate change. The campaign seeks to encourage citizens to dedicate a tree to their mothers as a symbol for nurturing both life and nature.

Several community members, employees of Vedanta Aluminium and school students contributed their efforts to the initiative, which aims to further strengthen the district’s green cover and advance collective efforts for augmenting the region’s biodiversity. Last year, the company undertook the plantation of 1 lakh saplings of native plant species under the first edition of the initiative.

Inaugurated at H. Katapali in Jharsuguda this year, the event was graced by several members of the state administration and district officials, including Pradeep Purohit, Member of Parliament – Bargarh; Suresh Pujari, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Government of Odisha; Tankadhar Tripathy, MLA – Jharsuguda;  Kunal M Chavan, District Collector – Jharsuguda; and Gundala Reddy Raghavendra, Superintendent of Police, Jharsuguda. The company also planted nearly two thousand saplings in the vicinity of its operations in Jamkhani and Sijimali on the occasion.

C. Chandru, CEO – Vedanta Jharsuguda, said: “At Vedanta Aluminium, upholding environmental stewardship is central to the way we operate. Our commitment to supporting Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 with a definitive target of 2 lakh saplings reflects our deep commitment to fostering ecological balance while strengthening community partnerships. We are honoured to partner with the district administration in this noble mission.”

Adding his views,Pradeep Purohit, Member of Parliament, Bargarh, said, “I am pleased to note that Vedanta is committed to not only planting but also nurturing the saplings planted here today. The company has emerged as one of the highest industry contributors to this year’s initiative and will inspire more people to join this noble effort.”

Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Pujari, Hon’ble Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Govt. Of Odisha, said: “The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign is not only about planting trees but also about nurturing a sustainable mindset among our citizens. I commend Vedanta Aluminium for coming forward to support this important mission. It is a testament of the shared commitment towards environmental conservation and development of the entire region.”

Lauding the company’s efforts, Tankadhar Tripathy, MLA – Jharsuguda, said, “I appreciate Vedanta for enthusiastically taking up this initiative to add to the green cover of Jharsuguda. I am glad to note that most of the saplings planted by the company last year have been preserved. This is a continuation of the several initiatives undertaken by the company for the development of the district.”

Through such initiatives, Vedanta continues to foster grassroots development, driving positive change in the lives of local communities while nurturing a sustainable future. The company has undertaken several other efforts to boost biodiversity and the natural ecosystem of the region, such as establishing a Butterfly Park and helping preserve vulnerable tree species such as Chroxylon Swietenia.