UP plantation drive has become mass movement; 35 cr more saplings to be planted Jul 12: CM

Lucknow, Jul 6 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the tree plantation drive in Uttar Pradesh has assumed the proportion of a mass movement, with more than five crore saplings planted on June 5 alone to mark the occasion of World Environment Day. Consequently, over 247 crore saplings have been planted across Uttar Pradesh over the past nine years, an official statement said, adding that on July 12, another 35 crore saplings will be planted statewide under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Adityanath appealed to all public representatives to hold meetings with officials, party workers and local organisations in their respective areas over the next two days to select plantation sites, and submit proposals regarding sapling requirement to the district administration and the forest department, ensuring all preparations are completed in time, the statement said. The chief minister highlighted that sapling plantation is not merely an act of environment conservation but a way to express gratitude towards nature and Mother Earth. He noted that most parts of the state have received adequate rainfall, making this the most suitable time for plantation. He said as part of the 'Mega Plantation Drive-2026', several new forests -- such as the Maharshi Charak Aushadhi Van (medicinal forest), Samras Van, Samriddhi Van, Krishi Van, Urja Van and Kapi Van, are expected to come up this year. Key components of the campaign should include 'Mission Chhaya', 'Aviral Dhara' plantation, 'Sahjan Bhandara' (drumstick sapling distribution) and 'Aam Bhandara' (mango sapling distribution). Under 'Mission Chhaya', shade-providing trees should be planted along roadsides and in public spaces to offer relief from heat. Additionally, a 'Vande Mataram Vatika' green space would be established through plantation to mark August 15, the statement said, urging siblings to plant saplings together on 'Raksha Bandhan' (August 28), and encouraging the youth to plant in honour of teachers -- 'Ek Ped Guru Ke Naam' -- on Teachers' Day (September 5). The chief minister directed that 'sahjan' (drumstick) saplings be provided to the poor and to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, as this plant proves highly effective in combating malnutrition. He instructed officials to engage with beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and involve them in the plantation drive. He further directed that fruit-bearing and shade-providing trees be planted as required near 'Amrit Sarovars', riverbanks, vacant lands, highways, expressways, and 'mandi' committee premises. Intensive plantation should be carried out in the riparian zones of rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna, according to the statement. The chief minister directed priority be given to planting trees beneficial to the environment and biodiversity -- such as mango, jamun, peepal, banyan, 'pakad', neem, and 'harad' in pubic spaces. He emphasised that besides planting, robust arrangements must be made for protection of the saplings through measures such as installation of tree guards. Placing special emphasis on regular watering, soil loosening, protection and maintenance, Adityanath said only a protected sapling will grow into a massive tree in future, and safeguard the environment. He said nine years ago, when a large-scale tree plantation drive was launched statewide, forest and horticulture department nurseries did not have even five crore saplings. Today, both departments hold a stock of over 57 crore saplings. These include fruit-bearing, medicinal, timber-yielding, and ornamental varieties. Adequate availability has been ensured in every district. The chief minister said environment conservation is not merely a government programme, but a national responsibility to safeguard both present and future. Tree plantation is the most effective means to combat global warming, excessive rainfall, droughts, and natural disasters. With this objective, the prime minister has called upon citizens to join the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, and Uttar Pradesh is consistently playing a leading role in it, the statement said. It further said with more than 72,000 elected public representatives across the state, the plantation target can be easily achieved if all stakeholders participate in the campaign with full enthusiasm. Cultural programmes, folk songs, street plays and public awareness activities should also be organised statewide to foster awareness and enthusiasm among people regarding environmental conservation, the statement added. PTI NAV ARB ARB