Adityanath flags environmental concerns, launches 35-crore sapling drive

Gorakhpur (UP), Jul 12 (PTI) Expressing concern over environmental degradation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said people take care of their own health but often ignore the health of Mother Earth, as he launched the state's 'Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam' campaign to plant 35 crore saplings. "A mother is the most beautiful gift for every person and every living being. This gift is also present for all of us in the form of Mother Earth. We are concerned about our own health. From time to time, we visit doctors, but we do not make any arrangements for the treatment of Mother Earth, on whom we all depend. It is because of her that life itself survives, but we do not think about her health," Adityanath said. He said protecting Mother Earth's well-being is essential for humanity's own welfare and stressed that tree plantation is vital to sustaining all forms of life for future generations. Adityanath made the remarks at the inauguration of the mega campaign 'Ek Pedh Maa ke Naam' in Gorakhpur, under which 35 crore saplings will be planted in a single day. Under the campaign, he planted the sacred 'Triveni' (Neem, Peepal and Banyan) saplings near the Bhagwanpur Toll Plaza on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, the UP government said in a statement. On his way back to Gorakhnath Temple, the chief minister also planted a Maulshri sapling along the Tal Ring Road near RKBK. Adityanath highlighted that since taking power in 2017, the BJP-led government in the state has begun efforts to replace halogen lights with LED street lights. "This transition has saved the UP government Rs 100 crore and significantly reduced carbon emissions caused by halogen lights. This is a move toward renewable energy," Adityanath noted. He also mentioned the 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana', which provides solar panels, saying they have effectively halved electricity bills while creating a new source of green energy. Referring to the PM Ujjwala Yojana, he stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided free LPG connections to 10 crore families, with 2 crore families benefitting in Uttar Pradesh alone. "Ayodhya has become the state's first solar city. The street lights and the lighting in government buildings are powered entirely by the electricity generated within the solar city itself. All necessary steps have been taken to fulfil our obligations towards nature," he said. Speaking about the plantation programme, Adityanath said, "The Paudhropan Mahabhiyan is a 'mahayagya' to express gratitude to Mother Earth. Over the past 9 years, along with the rapid pace of physical development in the state, forest cover has also expanded." He noted that one tree absorbs hundreds of tonnes of carbon dioxide. Over the past nine years, the increase in Uttar Pradesh's forest cover has led to the absorption of 6.37 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide and the release of 4.63 tonnes of oxygen. He added that at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's request, under the 'Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam' campaign, 5 crore saplings were planted this year on June 5, which is World Environment Day. More than 35 crore saplings were planted last year, bringing the total to 242 crore saplings planted in the state over the past nine years. The chief minister said environmental degradation has disrupted weather patterns, leading to a delayed onset of the monsoon by nearly a month. As a result, crops that are typically sown by mid-June will now be planted around mid-July, which he said could reduce agricultural output by 25 to 30 per cent. He added that the environmental imbalance has contributed to increasingly erratic weather, including spells of extreme heat and severe cold, and warned that global warming could eventually submerge several coastal cities while leaving other regions grappling with acute water shortages. He added that as the President of the International Solar Alliance, Prime Minister Modi has urged the world to adopt sustainable practices. "We must not only plant saplings but also ensure their proper care. Farmers who have planted trees in their fields also receive financial benefits under the Carbon Credit Finance Scheme," he said. Adityanath appealed to everyone to be part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign by planting at least one sapling in memory of their ancestors and loved ones, and in honour of family members. At the programme, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forest and Environment, Dr Arun Kumar Saxena, said that greenery has increased in Uttar Pradesh. According to the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun report, Uttar Pradesh has advanced to second place in the country in terms of increase in greenery. "Once today's plantation drive is completed, the total number of saplings planted in Uttar Pradesh over the past 10 years will reach 275 crore. In this year's Paudhropan Mahabhiyan, 30 per cent of the saplings being planted are fruit-bearing," Saxena said. Construction of the Forestry University announced by the chief minister in Gorakhpur will begin soon, he added. PTI NAV MPL MPL