New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on Sunday announced that it will launch a large-scale tree plantation drive across the country on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. A total of 1.5 million saplings will be planted as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

This is the country’s 78th Independence Day.

“The fund-raising drive for the planting 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 affiliated organisations such as DRDO, defence PSUs, CGDA, NCC, Sainik Schools and ordnance factories,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, urging everyone in India and across the world to plant a tree as a tribute to mothers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently took part in the campaign and planted a tree in memory of his mother.

He called on people to join the campaign to protect nature and make an active contribution to make the movement more effective and dynamic, the statement said.

Input from PTI