• Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on July 24.

• Sandringham Estate is the private country retreat of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. 

• PM Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III as part of his ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.

• They discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Vision 2035. 

• Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly yoga and ayurveda.

• The sapling presented to the King will be planted on the estate during planting season in the autumn.

Sapling of Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’

• The tree presented to the King is known as Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’, commonly known as the Sonoma dove tree or handkerchief tree. It is an ornamental tree celebrated for its early and abundant flowering.

• Unlike the species form of Davidia involucrata, which often takes 10 to 20 years to bloom, ‘Sonoma’ is a precocious cultivar that typically begins flowering within two to three years of planting.

• Its most iconic feature is the pair of large, fluttering white bracts that resemble handkerchiefs or doves suspended from the branches, creating a spectacular visual display in late spring.

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a seedling of Peepal Tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, New Delhi on June 5, 2024 on the occasion of World Environment Day. 

• The essence of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ is a symbolic gesture — planting a tree in the name of one’s mother. 

• This simple act serves a dual purpose: honouring the role of mothers in nurturing life and contributing to the health of the planet

• Through this campaign, halting and reversing land degradation, building drought resilience, preventing desertification and increasing the green cover of the country through voluntary planting of trees by all the citizens is envisaged. 

• The campaign not only aims at planting trees but sensitizes about the need to protect and nurture them. 

• The planting of indigenous species not only helps in improving the survival of trees but also builds a resilient ecosystem in the plantation areas.

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change successfully met its ambitious goal of planting 80 crore seedlings under the campaign by September 2024. 

• The target was achieved on September 25, 2024. 

• This achievement was made possible through collaborative efforts from government agencies, local communities, and various stakeholders.

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