Uttar Pradesh Launches Record 37 Crore Sapling Drive on July 9 to Boost Green Cover
Uttar Pradesh is set to embark on a monumental environmental endeavour this Wednesday, 9th July, aiming to plant an unprecedented 37 crore (370 million) saplings across all 75 districts. This ambitious target, exceeding last year’s by two crore, underscores the state’s steadfast commitment to enhancing its green cover and combating climate change, directly contributing to the vision of creating eco-friendly and sustainable urban and rural environments. The drive, commencing at 6 am, will see widespread participation, from governmental staff and volunteers to millions of citizens.
The sheer scale of this “Mission Green” initiative highlights a strategic push towards increasing the state’s forest and tree cover, which currently stands at a commendable 9.96% of its total geographical area, positioning Uttar Pradesh second nationally in terms of green cover growth as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR)-2023. The significant increase of over three lakh acres in green cover over recent years serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of previous plantation drives. Between 2017 and 2024, a staggering 204.92 crore saplings have already been planted across the state, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory in environmental stewardship. This continuous effort is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, improving air quality, and promoting groundwater recharge, vital for equitable resource distribution in urban and rural areas.
Extensive preparatory work has underpinned this mega plantation drive. The Forest Department, a week ahead of the event, meticulously completed advanced soil work at approximately 9,000 locations. Concurrently, around 26 other departments are in the final stages of preparations at an estimated 1.5 lakh sites, with Lucknow alone accounting for 78 plantation sites. Forest officials anticipate planting an average of 1,600 saplings per hectare, a testament to the systematic planning involved. Deepak Kumar, the mission director for the drive, confirmed that all necessary soil work has been completed and saplings, conveniently packaged in biodegradable packs, have been dispatched to their respective locations, ready for planting. This year’s escalated target aligns with the proven environmental benefits observed in previous years. The ISFR-2023 report indicates that Uttar Pradesh’s forest cover reached 15,045.80 sq km (6.24%), marking an increase of 118.43 sq km from the 14,927.37 sq km (6.20%) recorded in ISFR-2021.
Similarly, the state’s tree cover expanded to 8,950.92 sq km (3.72%) in the 2023 report, up from 8,510.16 sq km (3.53%) in the 2021 report. These figures underscore the state’s progress in expanding its green footprint, crucial for biodiversity conservation and creating healthier living environments for all citizens. The broad participation in this campaign reflects a holistic approach to environmental responsibility. The drive will witness the active involvement of 60,182 public representatives, 3.4 crore students, 2.24 crore farmers, 13,44,558 government employees, 4,69,900 advocates, 27,270 voluntary organisations, and 15,000 Farmer Producer Organisations. This extensive collaboration ensures that the mission transcends departmental boundaries, fostering a sense of collective ownership towards a greener future. The availability of saplings is robust, with the Forest Department possessing 1,901 nurseries and 47.27 crore saplings, the Horticulture Department 146 nurseries and 44 lakh saplings, and 484 private nurseries contributing 3.17 crore saplings.
Beyond sheer numbers, the plantation strategy is thoughtfully designed for maximum ecological impact. The Forest Department plans to plant 1.14 crore saplings along roadsides, while the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority will contribute 250,000 saplings along state expressways, including 1.2 lakh along the Bundelkhand Expressway. A significant focus is also placed on riparian ecosystems, with approximately 3.5 crore saplings slated for plantation along major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Ken, and Betwa. This strategic initiative, spanning a 5-km stretch on either side of these rivers, is designed to enhance green cover, control pollution, conserve soil, and crucially, promote groundwater recharge, vital for long-term water security. The Yamuna alone will see 9,678,330 saplings planted, followed by the Ganga with 5,480,994 and the Betwa with 5,061,251, covering a total of 23,772.45 hectares. Tree plantation along riverbanks is also recognised for its critical role in reducing soil erosion and ensuring smoother river flow, mitigating risks of flooding and land degradation.
Further demonstrating its commitment to ecological preservation, Uttar Pradesh has taken proactive steps to protect its ancient natural heritage through the “Heritage Tree Adoption Scheme.” Under this initiative, 948 century-old trees, encompassing 28 species and spread across all 75 districts, have been identified and nurtured for their ecological, cultural, and historical significance. Varanasi leads with 99 such heritage trees, followed by Prayagraj (53), Hardoi (37), Ghazipur (35), and Unnao (34). This list includes revered species like the Banyan (363 trees) and Peepal (422 trees), alongside Mango, Arjun, Shami, Neem, and even rare species like Adansonia and Pilu. Iconic examples include the mother trees of Dussehri mango in Lucknow and Langra mango in Varanasi, the Bachan Tamarind of Fatehpur, and the Bodhi tree of Sarnath. These efforts highlight a deeper understanding of ecosystem preservation, connecting natural heritage with societal well-being and ensuring intergenerational equity in access to green spaces. The state capital, Lucknow, anticipates the planting of 38.71 lakh saplings across 78 sites on July 9, with 300 departmental staff and numerous volunteers mobilised for the monumental task. This comprehensive approach underscores Uttar Pradesh’s pioneering role in establishing a truly green and sustainable future for its citizens.
