The Swami Vivekananda Tree Plantation Programme, conducted annually under the auspices of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jhargram, entered its fifth consecutive year in 2026, marked by sustained community participation and an expanding ecological impact across Jhargram district.
Over the preceding four years, a cumulative total of 14,990 saplings had been planted at various locations across the district. This year, between 15 June and 1 August 2026, an additional 1,352 saplings were planted, bringing the overall contribution of the programme to a significant landmark in the Ashrama’s environmental service mission. The activities this year were carried out across three distinct components:
1. Srirampur Sub-centre — Forest Restoration and Campus Greening
The principal focus of this year’s programme was the ecological restoration of a 2-acre degraded forest plot adjoining Ramakrishna Mission, Srirampur — a sub-centre of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jhargram — which had previously served as a municipal dumping ground. Building upon 1,300 saplings planted at the same site over the preceding two years, 390 additional indigenous trees, predominantly of the Sal species, were planted this year as part of the ongoing afforestation effort.
In addition, 70 fruit-bearing and ornamental trees were planted on the campus of the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith (English-medium school) associated with the sub-centre, further greening the institutional environment.
2. Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Campus Plantation
Students of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Jhargram planted 40 saplings of various species within and around the school campus. The initiative fostered a sense of environmental awareness and personal responsibility among the student community.
3. Sapling Distribution to EMRS Students — A Value-Based Initiative
In a distinctive initiative integrating ecological responsibility with filial values, 381 EMRS students each received two fruit-bearing saplings for planting at their respective homes — one sapling to be planted in the name of their father and the other in the name of their mother. This gesture was conceived as a symbolic act of gratitude towards parents, linking the nurturing of trees with the care and reverence owed to family.
The saplings distributed included the following varieties:
| Sl. No. | Species |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mango |
| 2 | Jackfruit |
| 3 | Pomegranate |
| 4 | Lime |
| 5 | Sapodilla |
| 6 | Java Apple |
| 7 | Jujube |
| 8 | Sweet Lemon |
| 9 | Blackberry |
| 10 | Guava |
Students were encouraged to tend to these trees as living expressions of gratitude towards their parents and of care for the natural environment.
Summary of Plantation Activities (2026)
| Activity | Location | Saplings Planted |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Restoration | Srirampur Sub-centre | 390 |
| Campus Greening | Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Srirampur | 70 |
| Campus Plantation | EMRS Campus, Jhargram | 40 |
| Home Distribution | EMRS Students (381 × 2) | 762 |
| Total (2026) | 1,352 | |
| Cumulative Total (5 Years) | 16,342 |
