Jaisalmer: The 128 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Task Force of Rajputana Rifles has set a world record by planting over 5.19 lakh saplings in just one hour. The “Special Plantation Drive” took place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and the Territorial Army’s outreach initiative “Bhagidari & Zimmedari” in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The drive aimed at ecological restoration and promoting environmental awareness among local communities.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, congratulated the battalion for their incredible feat, which was provisionally recognized by the World Book of Records, London. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sh. Yadav extended his congratulations to the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, District Administration of Jaisalmer, Police, Border Wing Home Guards, Sankalp Taru NGO, and students from various educational institutions who collaborated to make this achievement possible.
The plantation drive took place at seven different locations across Jaisalmer between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and involved the participation of multiple stakeholders from various branches of the military, local authorities, NGOs, and educational institutions. It was a collective effort toward community development and environmental conservation.
The initiative set several world records, including:
- Most saplings planted by a team in one hour
- Most saplings planted by a team of women in one hour
- Largest number of people planting saplings simultaneously at a single venue
The World Book of Records team was present on-site to verify and certify the plantation efforts, awarding the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force with a provisional certificate of achievement after the event.
