Tree Plantation Initiative
Recognizing the urgent need to combat climate change and global warming, the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation, in partnership with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, has planned to plant one million trees across Odisha by 2025.
The Theme
The Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu programme is part of a broader national initiative launched by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust to plant one crore (10 million) trees across India by the birth centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on November 23, 2025. As a contribution to this noble cause, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations and the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation have pledged to plant and maintain 10 lakh (one million) trees in Odisha by the same year.
Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu Tree Plantation Initiative
The state of Odisha has embarked on a landmark environmental initiative with the launch of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu programme, aimed at combating climate change and promoting ecological sustainability. This ambitious effort, jointly undertaken by the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation and the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, Odisha, was officially inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Mr Naveen Patnaik, at a grand event held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The programme aims to plant and nurture one million trees in Odisha by 2025.
Chief Minister's Endorsement
During the launch, Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik expressed his strong support for the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu initiative, underscoring trees’ essential role in sustaining human life and the environment. He highlighted Odisha’s leadership in environmental preservation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enhancing its green cover and improving the well-being of its people through this extensive tree plantation drive.
Implementation and Monitoring
The implementation of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu programme will be actively supported by the Government of Odisha. The government will provide saplings and allocate vacant lands in government schools, colleges, hospitals, and other public spaces for plantations. Each tree planted under this programme will be geo-tagged and documented with photographs, which will be uploaded to the official website.
Previous Initiatives
Sri Abhinav Krishna Jasthi also took the opportunity to highlight the Foundation’s previous successful collaboration with the Sri Sathya Sai Trust and the American Heart Association in organising a large-scale Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training program in February 2023.
Key Moments
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sri Karthikeyan Pandian IAS, Private Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sri R Vineel Krishna IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister, senior officers from the Government of Odisha and the Government of India, officials from the Forest Department, and other prominent figures.
Future Goals
Launched by the Chief Minister, this program trained 2,500 police personnel and students in CPR, with the ambitious goal of training 200,000 people in Odisha by 2025 to help save lives during sudden cardiac arrests. The progress of this initiative has been promising, showcasing the Foundation’s dedication to public health and welfare.
A Commitment
The Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu tree plantation programme is poised to make a lasting impact on Odisha’s environment, playing a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of global climate change and enhancing the state’s natural resources for future generations. The Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation remains committed to driving meaningful change through initiatives that promote the well-being of both people and the planet.