North Bay, South Andaman, saw a surge of green enthusiasm on May 6, 2025, as the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organized a large-scale tree plantation drive. The initiative, part of the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ brought together tourism stakeholders, local panchayat members, and volunteers in a shared commitment to boost the island’s environmental resilience.
Over 50 AATO members, tourism professionals, and representatives from Hope Town Panchayat gathered early in the day at North Bay, armed with 100 saplings of native coastal species. The focus was not just on symbolic planting but on ensuring that the young plants are suitable for the local ecosystem, boosting biodiversity and strengthening the coastline against erosion.
During the event, the AATO leadership underscored the importance of community involvement in environmental protection. They emphasized that the tourism sector must play a leading role in adopting sustainable practices, given the environmental sensitivity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Ministry of Tourism’s local office laid out the broader vision behind ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, a campaign designed to tap into the emotional connection people feel towards nature and their mothers, encouraging every citizen to plant at least one tree. This initiative aligns with India’s national environmental goals, combining ecological action with cultural symbolism.
AATO expressed appreciation for the active support received from the Ministry of Tourism and the Hope Town Panchayat. As the saplings took root, the event served as both a practical step and a symbolic reminder of the long-term investment needed to keep the islands lush and thriving.
This plantation drive is one of several planned under the campaign across India’s key tourism hubs. For the Andaman Islands, which heavily rely on eco-tourism, such efforts are seen as crucial not only to meet sustainability targets but also to protect the very landscape that draws thousands of visitors every year.
