Defence Ministry launches tree plantation drive on Independence Day New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) The Defence Ministry on Sunday announced the launch of a massive tree plantation drive across the country on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day ceremony on August 15. Over 15 lakh saplings will be planted by the ministry. “The plantation drive is part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A tree in the name of mother) campaign and is being carried out by the three services and associated organisations such as DRDO, Defence PSUs, CGDA, NCC, Sainik schools, Ordnance factories,” the Defence Ministry said. As part of the same drive, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) also organised a tree plantation drive in the national capital on Saturday. Around 1,11,111 saplings were planted in various parks and green belts of Delhi. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also took part in the campaign and planted a sapling in honour of his mother at the ecological site along the Yamuna River in New Delhi. The Vice President also appealed to people to make the campaign a success to protect the environment. He also urged every member of parliament to also plant at least 200 trees as their contribution towards protecting nature. The campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5 on the occasion of World Environment Day. He also urged everyone in India and across the world to plant a tree as a tribute to mothers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took part in the campaign and planted the tree in memory of his mother. He appealed to people to join the campaign to protect nature and actively contribute in making the movement for environmental protection more effective and dynamic.