Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has given Goa its most ambitious environmental mission in decades: “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” – a statewide campaign to plant 5 lakh trees in just three to four months starting June 2025. As the minister directly responsible for forests, environment, and climate change, Rane is steering the initiative with hands-on leadership, ensuring every taluka, every degraded patch of land, and every urban corner becomes part of Goa’s green resurgence.
Sonsodo: From Garbage Mountain to Urban Forest
The campaign was symbolically launched at Sonsodo – for years Goa’s most visible environmental scar. On the very first day, Minister Rane personally planted the first 500 saplings, marking the beginning of a larger plan to transform the entire dump into a green lung with 65,000 trees. “What was once a symbol of neglect will become a symbol of renewal,” Rane declared. The reclaimed land will feature native species that improve soil stability, absorb leachate, and create a biodiversity corridor connecting Margao’s hinterland to the coast.
Scale and Speed: 2 Lakh Saplings Already in the Ground
Within weeks of the soft launch, over 2 lakh saplings have been planted across Goa. Forest department teams, school children, college NSS units, village panchayats, and eco-clubs are working in coordinated shifts. Rane has directed officials to prioritise degraded mining pits, roadside barren stretches, riverbanks prone to erosion, and government lands near industrial estates. Species selection includes teak, mango, jackfruit, jamun, and cashew – trees that provide both ecological and economic benefits to local communities.
Vertical Gardens: A New Urban Forestry Mandate
Understanding that Goa’s land is limited and vertical growth inevitable, Minister Rane has made vertical gardens compulsory for all buildings availing higher Floor Space Index (FSI). “If we build upwards, we must green upwards,” he has repeatedly emphasised. This policy, notified under the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, requires developers to incorporate living walls, terrace gardens, and balcony greenery proportionate to built-up area. Pilot projects in Panaji and Margao have already shown a measurable drop in ambient temperature and improvement in air quality.
Community Ownership and Long-Term Survival
Unlike past drives that faded after the monsoon, Rane has instituted a digital monitoring system. Every sapling is geo-tagged, assigned to a local caretaker (student, panchayat member, or resident association), and tracked through a public dashboard. Schools adopting 100+ trees receive special recognition under the Eco-Schools programme. “This is not just about planting trees; it is about growing responsibility,” the Minister said while interacting with students at a planting site in Quepem.
Budget, Manpower and Inter-Departmental Coordination
The Forest Department has been allocated dedicated funds under the CAMPA and state green budget to procure quality saplings, digging tools, and fencing material. Rane has roped in the Departments of Education, Rural Development, Tourism, and Urban Development to provide land and manpower. Even Goa’s robust tourism sector has been asked to adopt stretches along popular beaches and highways, turning “green selfies” into real conservation impact.
A Tribute That Goes Beyond Symbolism
The name “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” carries deep emotional resonance. Minister Rane has encouraged every participant to dedicate their tree to their mother or a mother figure, reinforcing the message that protecting nature is the highest form of gratitude we can show to those who nurture us. From senior citizens in old-age homes to young couples planting on behalf of their yet-to-be-born children, the campaign has touched every generation.
Goa’s Green Vision Under Rane’s Leadership
With Goa already boasting one of India’s highest forest covers, Minister Rane is determined to push it further while making urban areas livable and resilient. The 5-lakh-tree target is only the beginning. Plans are underway for Phase II – creation of urban miyawaki forests, mangrove restoration along the coastline, and a state-wide “Adopt a Tree” portal.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has proved once again that when political will meets administrative action, even a small state can set national benchmarks in environmental governance. Goa is not just planting trees – it is planting a legacy.