Yogi govt to develop each UP village as ‘Green Village’
Lucknow Focus News Desk: In a determined move to combat environmental challenges, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set a target to increase Uttar Pradesh’s green cover to 15% by 2030. He emphasized that this goal can only be achieved if tree plantation becomes a people’s movement. To realise this vision, the state government aims to transform every village into a ‘Green Village’.
The government believes that with the support of various schemes like the Forest and Environment programs, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, and MGNREGA, every Gram Panchayat can actively contribute to achieving the state’s environmental objectives.
Following Chief Minister’s directive, Green Chaupals will be organized in every village to ensure community participation. These chaupals will be chaired by the village head (Gram Pradhan) and held on the third Friday of every month.
The Green Chaupal will be led and conducted by the Gram Pradhan, with the Section/Beat Officer serving as Member Secretary and the Gram Panchayat Officer as Coordinator. Members will include three Gram Panchayat members (at least one woman), one woman from a self-help group, the village primary school headmaster, an Anganwadi assistant, an employment assistant, a progressive farmer, an environmentalist or NGO representative, and a member of the Biodiversity Management Committee. Relevant department representatives will participate as special invitees.
Besides, awareness campaigns will be held to promote environmental schemes of various departments through street plays, rallies, and seminars on environmental protection, climate change, and biodiversity. Village school teachers and students will also be educated on these themes. The District Plantation Committee will monitor the progress of Green Chaupal activities.
The Green Chaupal will play an active role in planning and implementing micro-plans for tree plantation in each Gram Panchayat. It will ensure plantation and maintenance on available vacant land within the village to promote greenery. The Green Chaupal will carry out its duties according to the directions of the state government and District Plantation Committee. People in the villages will also be made aware of various government schemes related to Mission LiFE, forest and wildlife conservation, wetlands, environment, biodiversity, climate change, plantation, carbon credits, and renewable energy.
To address human-wildlife conflict, awareness campaigns will be conducted, with additional focus on establishing and managing a Gram Harit Nidhi (Village Green Fund).
Under the guidance of the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the District Panchayati Raj Officer will collect monthly reports on Green Chaupal activities. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) will coordinate the smooth functioning of the chaupals. The District Plantation/Environment Committee will regularly identify and honor high-performing Green Chaupals. A list of such commendable chaupals will be shared with the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and the most progressive Green Chaupals will also be recognized at the state level.
