Coal/Lignite PSUs Observe World Environment Day 2025 with Mass Plantation Drives and Anti-Plastic Campaigns under the Guidance of Ministry of Coal. In a powerful reaffirmation of India’s environmental vision, Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) celebrated World Environment Day (WED) 2025 on a massive scale under the overarching theme “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution”. The celebrations were conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, with a special focus on the emotional and ecological campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Plantation by Board of Directors of CIL at Kolkata

The event witnessed simultaneous celebration at nearly 350 locations across 47 districts in 11 coal/lignite-bearing states, where mass plantation drives under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign were held in honour of Mother Earth - symbolizing gratitude, growth, and green commitments.

This year’s WED celebration marked a dual commitment from the Coal sector such as planting trees for climate resilience, and eliminating single-use plastic for environmental protection. Coal/Lignite PSUs organized awareness campaigns, plastic waste collection drives, eco-rallies, plastic-free workplace pledges, and community outreach events—engaging thousands of employees, school children, and local residents.

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Plantation at BCCL, Dhanbad

While meeting India’s rising energy needs through increased coal production, Coal/Lignite PSUs have also emerged as leaders in sustainable development. Over the last six years, these PSUs have planted 29 million saplings over 13,400 hectares in and around coal and lignite mining areas, converting mined-out and barren lands into lush green ecosystems.

Now, they are accelerating these efforts with cutting-edge green technologies including the Miyawaki method, seed ball broadcasting, and drone-based afforestation to enhance plantation efficiency and ecological impact. The PSUs have set an ambitious target of 16,000 hectares under green cover in the next five years, with 2,800 hectares planned for FY 2025-26.

The Ministry of Coal’s initiatives on World Environment Day also reflect its strategic alignment with India’s Net-Zero 2070 goal, through creation of natural carbon sinks, improvement of air and water quality, and reclamation of ecological balance in coal mining regions. The plastic-free movement, when combined with mass-scale plantations, represents a holistic path forward combining mitigation and adaptation to the climate crisis, enhancing community well-being, and promoting biodiversity in vulnerable regions.

This year’s observance of World Environment Day by Coal/Lignite PSUs is more than symbolic—it is a living testimony of transformation. From reducing carbon footprints and creating verdant belts, to eliminating plastic waste from offices and communities, these efforts embody a coal sector in transition, where economic growth and ecological integrity walk hand-in-hand.

As each sapling takes root and each plastic item is eliminated, Coal/Lignite PSUs are nurturing a sustainable legacy for generations to come, proving that the path from extraction to restoration is not only possible but powerful.

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Shuhaib T

Prakriti Press Release