India, Sept. 17 -- Odisha on Tuesday surpassed its target of planting 75 lakh saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' initiative, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday on Wednesday.

The state planted over 1.04 crore saplings across 30 districts and 30,025 sites, an official said, adding that the target of planting 75 lakh saplings was crossed before 2 pm on Wednesday.

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who joined a plantation programme at a Bhubaneswar college along with other senior ministers, called the effort a "people's movement."

"This reflects our commitment to honour Mother Earth and ensure a greener future for Odisha on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of PM Narendra Modi," he said.

The plantation drive,...