Chennai: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed colleges across the country to adopt villages and spearhead tree planting initiatives through student participation.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set an ambitious goal of planting 140 crore saplings by next year. In support of this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign on World Environment Day, June 5, under the slogan "A Tree for Mother," encouraging individuals to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers.

As part of the effort, the UGC has tasked universities and colleges to ensure that students plant 80 crore saplings by September. So far, 50 crore saplings have already been planted.

The UGC has further instructed educational institutions to adopt villages where this plantation drive can be actively pursued to meet the 80 crore target.

Additionally, the UGC has mandated that institutions upload details of their sapling plantations on the official portal https://merilife.nic.in for monitoring and feedback.