NEW DELHI, July 2 (Xinhua) -- India's central state of Madhya Pradesh Sunday undertook a massive plantation drive aimed at planting 60 million saplings on a single day, officials said.
The plantation drive was initiated by local government to protect the environment and save river Narmada flowing in the state.
"Madhya Pradesh to create history today. As people of the state come together for planting 60 million trees," Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
"We cannot be selfish. We need to leave behind a better world for the future and thus plant trees."
Chouhan launched the plantation drive at in Anooppur district and later on visited several places to participate in the ongoing program.
He said caretakers would be deployed to look after these plants.
Chouhan told media that government programs would begin with plantation drives in the state and called upon people to plant saplings on the occasions like wedding, birthday and anniversaries.
The 12-hour plantation drive was started at 7 a.m. local time and concluded at 7 p.m. in the evening.
The government by planting 60 million trees along Narmada river in 24 districts in a single day is aiming to create a new Guinness World Record.
Narmada is referred as "lifeline" of Madhya Pradesh.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Chouhan for this massive plantation drive.
"Good luck Madhya Pradesh, for creating a mass movement of planting more trees and ensuring a greener planet," Modi said.
Last year, the Uttar Pradesh government planted 50 million saplings at multiple locations in a span of 24 hours.
