Daman, June 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said nearly one lakh saplings were being planted across Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, describing the initiative as a symbol of sustainable development.

Speaking on ‘World Environment Day’, PM Modi said environmental responsibility must accompany infrastructure growth and economic development.

“Development is important for us, but it is equally important that our model of development is sustainable. Along with the inauguration and foundation laying of development projects worth thousands of crores of rupees, nearly one lakh saplings are also being planted here,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the plantation drive reflected the Union Territory’s commitment to balancing economic progress with environmental protection.

He praised local efforts in renewable energy, noting that Diu had already achieved a milestone by meeting its daytime electricity requirements through solar power.

“I am proud that this is a Union Territory which has achieved the milestone of using 100 per cent solar energy in government buildings,” PM Modi said.

According to him, the administration is now expanding rooftop solar initiatives to allow households to generate electricity and earn income by supplying surplus power to the grid.

The Prime Minister also commended residents for running cleanliness campaigns alongside environmental initiatives.

“I have also been told that the people of Daman are currently running a cleanliness campaign. This reflects how cleanliness has become a part of the culture and way of life here,” he noted.

PM Modi argued that environmental stewardship should not be treated as a separate objective but as a central component of development planning.

The plantation campaign forms part of the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative launched by the Prime Minister, which encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers while contributing to environmental conservation.

He said sustainability would remain an important element of future development plans and called on citizens to continue participating in environmental protection efforts through tree planting, renewable energy adoption, and community-led cleanliness drives.

–IANS

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