India’s Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) observed World Environment Day 2025 on an unprecedented scale, conducting mass plantation drives and anti-plastic initiatives across 350 locations in 47 districts spanning 11 coal-mining states. Guided by the Ministry of Coal, the celebrations focused on “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution”, reinforcing India’s commitment to environmental restoration and climate resilience.
A key feature of the initiative was the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to honor Mother Earth by planting millions of trees in mined-out areas. Over the past six years, Coal PSUs have planted 29 million saplings across 13,400 hectares, transforming barren landscapes into thriving green belts. These efforts have positioned coal entities as leaders in sustainable mining and ecological rehabilitation.
The Ministry has ramped up afforestation projects with cutting-edge green technologies, including Miyawaki dense forest techniques, seed ball broadcasting, and drone-assisted afforestation, targeting 16,000 hectares of new green cover over the next five years, with 2,800 hectares planned for FY 2025-26.
In addition to tree planting, Coal PSUs launched plastic waste collection drives, eco-awareness campaigns, and workplace pledges to eliminate single-use plastics, engaging employees, school children, and local communities. The push for a plastic-free coal sector aligns with India’s broader Net Zero 2070 strategy, ensuring cleaner air, improved water quality, and ecological restoration in mining regions.
The Ministry of Coal emphasized that its dual approach of afforestation and plastic elimination represents a holistic climate mitigation strategy, merging sustainability with industrial progress. With each tree planted and each plastic item removed, Coal PSUs are fostering a legacy of environmental stewardship, proving that a transition from extraction to restoration is not only possible but essential for India’s green future.
