Puducherry: The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Pondicherry University launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign 2.0 with a mega tree plantation drive to mark World Environment Day. The initiative is being undertaken under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Prakash Babu inaugurated the drive by planting a sapling on the campus and urged students and staff to take collective responsibility for creating a greener and healthier future. He highlighted that Pondicherry University is distinguished for its lush green campus with age-old trees and an eco-friendly environment.

The plantation drive, part of the G20 India initiatives, aims to strengthen environmental awareness among the youth and the community. Over 50 varieties of fruit-bearing trees including mango, chikku, custard apple, jackfruit, guava, amla and blueberry were planted during the event.

The programme was organised by the NSS Unit in collaboration with the Office of Dean Students' Welfare, Engineering Wing, Horticulture Wing, IQAC, NCC, and the Office of Green Campus.

Senior officials including Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu, Prof. Clement Sagayaradja Lourdes, Dr. M. Vijayakumar, Prof. Y. Venkata Rao, NSS Programme Officers Dr. Santhosh Mathew, Prof. A. Praveen, Prof. C. Suresh Kumar, Dr. Shanmugam, Dr. G. Prabagaran, deans, faculty members, non-teaching staff, research scholars and students participated in the drive.

The event was coordinated by Prof. C. Satheesh Kumar, NSS Programme Coordinator, Pondicherry University.