Uttar Pradesh to create another record by planting more than 350 Million saplings in a single day: Chief Minister

Lucknow Focus News Desk: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set an ambitious target of planting 350 million saplings in a single day this year. He said, “With public participation, Uttar Pradesh has achieved remarkable success in tree plantation campaigns over the past years, and the initiative will now be further expanded as a mass movement.”

Reviewing preparations for the Mega Plantation Campaign-2026 on Sunday, the Chief Minister appealed that under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, every Anganwadi centre should plant at least five drumstick (Moringa) saplings, while every student in schools and colleges should plant at least one sapling.

The Chief Minister also directed that large-scale plantation along both sides of the Ganga Expressway be given priority.

He said, “Tree plantation should not remain merely a programme, but should evolve into a sustained public movement.”

During the meeting, it was informed that Uttar Pradesh has made significant progress in tree plantation over the past years.

While 514.8 million saplings were planted between 2009 and 2016, the number increased to 2.4213 billion between 2017 and 2025.

During the same period, a historic increase of 3.38 lakh acres in forest and tree cover was recorded, taking the state’s green cover to nearly 9.96 percent.

In terms of carbon stock growth as well, the state has surpassed the national average of 1.13 percent by registering a growth rate of 2.46 percent.

The Chief Minister said, “Uttar Pradesh must move rapidly towards a green revolution and achieve the target of 15 percent green cover by 2030 and 20 percent by 2047 under all circumstances.”

The Chief Minister directed that the 2026 campaign should be made completely scientific, well-planned, and result-oriented.

Calling micro-planning the foundation of the campaign, he stressed effective implementation of all micro-plans prepared at rural and urban levels.

Emphasizing the quality and availability of saplings, the Chief Minister directed that all departments should be provided free and high-quality saplings from Forest Department nurseries.

It was informed during the meeting that 1,935 departmental nurseries are currently operational in the state and arrangements are being made to ensure the availability of more than 500 million saplings, for which 34 new nurseries have also been established.

Nurseries operated by the horticulture, sericulture, and private sectors have also been integrated into the campaign.

The Chief Minister said, “Ensuring the protection and survival of saplings should remain the highest priority alongside plantation efforts.”

He directed continuous monitoring through modern technology. It was informed that plantation activities are being monitored through digital platforms such as the ‘Haritima’ app, GIS mapping, QR code-based tracking, Plantation Monitoring System (PMS), and Nursery Management System (MMS).

A special survey conducted in 2025 recorded an 80 percent survival rate of saplings planted by the Forest Department.

The Chief Minister also stressed the establishment of forests and gardens in the names of martyrs, freedom fighters, and other national heroes, and directed that plantation be carried out along riverbanks, highways, and other public spaces.

He particularly emphasized planting species associated with the Ramayana era in Ayodhya this year.

The Chief Minister directed all departments to prepare their detailed action plans by May 30 and ensure plantation activities are carried out according to the prescribed timeline.

He said, “Active participation of public representatives, voluntary organizations, educational institutions, and citizens must be ensured to make the campaign successful.”

During the meeting, the Forest and Environment Department also presented the Chief Minister with the certificate declaring ‘Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Aligarh’ as a Ramsar Site. Uttar Pradesh now has a total of 12 designated Ramsar sites covering an area of 38,992.25 hectares. Spread across 40.309 hectares, Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary is the smallest Ramsar site in the state. It was notified as a bird sanctuary in 2016.