Bhopal News: ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’; BMC To Plant 50,000 More Saplings
**Bhopal Municipal Corporation Launches Extensive Plantation Drive Under ‘Ek Bagiya Maa ke Naam’ Initiative**
*Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh):* The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is undertaking a large-scale plantation drive as part of the Seva Pakhwada campaign, introducing the initiative ‘Ek Bagiya Maa ke Naam’ aimed at developing gardens dedicated to mothers. The campaign seeks to create green spaces across all 21 zones of the city, with an ambitious target of planting 50,000 saplings in each zone during this fortnight-long drive.
According to the BMC’s garden cell, 2,500 saplings will be planted simultaneously at various locations throughout the city. A special plantation drive on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, will see an even larger effort with 5,000 saplings being planted in a single day.
Key locations identified for the drive include government land, the BHEL area, Dairy Estate Complex, and the Bhadbhada region. BMC officials highlighted that a new garden is being developed daily in different localities with the support and active participation of local communities.
“We invite private organizations, environmental NGOs, and local citizens to join hands and strengthen this campaign,” said Pramod Malviya, Executive Engineer at BMC.
The Seva Pakhwada campaign, which started on September 17 (coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday) and runs until October 2 (Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary), focuses on key themes such as health, sanitation, education, nutrition, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection. The plantation drive, particularly ‘Ek Bagiya Maa ke Naam,’ constitutes a central aspect of its environmental agenda.
Previously, BMC had launched ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam,’ encouraging individuals to plant saplings in honor of their mothers. The current campaign expands on this vision by dedicating entire gardens to Mother Earth, aiming to enhance Bhopal’s green cover and improve air quality.
### Impressive Progress: 65,000 Saplings Planted So Far
This monsoon season, a total of 65,000 saplings have been planted across all 21 zones of Bhopal. Leading the efforts is Zone 21 with 10,940 saplings, followed by Zone 8 with 7,642, Zone 14 with 5,845, Zone 5 with 5,226, and Zone 13 with 4,468 saplings.
### Inspired by the Miyawaki Method
Retired horticulture professor KS Tomar has drawn parallels between the ‘Ek Bagiya Maa ke Naam’ initiative and the Japanese Miyawaki method of afforestation. Developed by botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, this technique involves planting a diverse range of native species close together, resulting in dense, fast-growing mini-forests that become self-sustaining within a few years.
The BMC’s initiative embraces this approach, aiming for sustainable, healthy urban forests that will benefit Bhopal’s environment and its residents for generations to come.
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*For more updates on Bhopal’s green initiatives and community programs, stay tuned.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-ek-bagiya-maa-ke-naam-bmc-to-plant-50000-more-saplings
