UP’s Green Wave: 35 Crore Saplings to Rewrite the State’s Environmental Story

The state government of Uttar Pradesh has launched a massive mission to plant more than 35 crore saplings in the state during this monsoon, hoping to substantially increase green cover and fight climate change. The campaign, scheduled on Van Mahotsav (July 1–7), will involve 26 government departments with the forest and rural development departments taking the lead.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Massive Scale: Gautam Buddha Nagar and other districts will plant as many as 10 lakh saplings, focusing on riverfronts, highways, and public areas to provide maximum ecological uplift.

 

Varied Species: The scheme includes native, medicinal, and fruit plants like neem, amla, mango, jackfruit, and medicinal herbs like sarpagandha and aloe vera, enhancing biodiversity and public health.

 

Community Participation: The campaign promotes student, farmer, woman, and resident association participation, turning the drive into a statewide movement.

 

Strategic Objectives: The state targets increasing green cover to 15% by 2027 from the current 9%, on top of last year's record 36.5 crore saplings.

 

Lauded as a model for green growth, UP's plantation drive is going to clean up the air, revive ecological balance, and inspire other states to follow suit.

 

Source: Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Week