In a climate-conscious move aimed at cooling overheated urban zones, Uttar Pradesh is launching a first-of-its-kind green infrastructure initiative to develop mini forests across key cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.
The plan, part of the newly rolled out Upvan Scheme, directly targets the rising urban heat island effect that has made summers unbearable in dense metropolitan clusters. Under the scheme, municipal corporations have been empowered to spend up to ₹3 crore each to create dedicated green zones over 2,000 square metre plots within their jurisdictions. These mini forests will use high-density planting models, particularly the Miyawaki technique, to rapidly restore green cover and reduce surface temperatures.
With the 2025–26 fiscal year in focus, the state government has provisioned a ₹70 crore corpus for this initiative, a first in its climate response planning. Officials say the funding will support plantation drives, maintenance efforts, and monitoring of tree survival rates through data-driven methods. The need for urgent intervention comes as independent and institutional research increasingly highlights the extent of the urban heat island phenomenon in Uttar Pradesh’s largest cities. Urban areas, dominated by concrete, glass, and asphalt, record far higher temperatures than their rural counterparts, creating public health risks and straining local ecosystems.
Recent studies submitted to the state government have mapped district-level heat exposure and pointed to the lack of shade and vegetation as key contributors to rising heat levels. The Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, in its report last year, urged immediate green strategies to mitigate urban warming, which it linked to rapid, unregulated growth and poor land-use planning. Officials involved in the planning confirmed that GIS-based mapping tools and thermal imaging will be used to pinpoint the most heat-stressed areas. Expert consultations are also underway to guide plantation methods and select native tree species suited to local climate and soil conditions.
Beyond cooling benefits, these mini forests are expected to act as carbon sinks, improve urban biodiversity, and serve as natural buffers during climate-induced extreme weather. Civic bodies are being encouraged to adopt community-inclusive models where citizens help monitor and maintain these spaces, ensuring long-term survival and integration into neighbourhood planning. Environmental observers believe this initiative could set a precedent for climate-resilient urban design across India. By prioritising small but impactful interventions, the state is aligning with national and global efforts to make cities greener, more equitable, and better equipped to face climate disruptions.
While the move is widely welcomed, the long-term success of these forests will depend on consistent funding, public engagement, and scientific plantation methods. Nevertheless, it marks a critical step toward reimagining urban spaces as climate-responsive, people-centric ecosystems.
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