India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, marked World Environment Day 2025 with a meaningful and symbolic event at The Ashok and Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri.

Centred around the heartfelt campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide call to plant a tree in honour of one’s mother, a tribute that intertwines gratitude with ecological consciousness.

The event was led by Ms. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, ITDC, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from Functional Directors, senior management, and dedicated staff. Notably, ITDC also honoured its gardening personnel and their children — the often-unsung green champions behind the lush surroundings of The Ashok and Hotel Samrat.

This initiative resonated with the United Nations’ 2025 World Environment Day theme — “Beat Plastic Pollution”, as ITDC showcased its strong commitment to a plastic-free, sustainable future.

A symbolic tree plantation drive formed the core of the event, where each participant planted a sapling in their mother’s name, creating a deep emotional and environmental connection with the act of nurturing life.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, shared,

“Planting a tree in the name of a mother is like paying homage to the universal Mother Earth, the nurturing life force that procreates, nurtures, and sustains all of life. Inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister's call of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, on this World Environment Day, ITDC reiterates its commitment towards a circular economy and sustainable environment, free from plastic waste.”

ITDC’s flagship properties, The Ashok and Hotel Samrat, already exemplify climate-responsive architecture, with designs that follow natural contours, preserve existing trees, and minimise heat-island impact. This creates a naturally cooler microclimate and reinforces ITDC’s focus on eco-conscious hospitality.

As the world comes together to celebrate sustainability, ITDC’s tribute to both mothers and Mother Earth stands as a touching and timely reminder of the nurturing power shared by the two.