Uttar Pradesh on Mission Green: 242 Crore Saplings Planted, Forest Cover Rising

Uttar Pradesh is on a massive mission to become a “green state” under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Over the past nine years, the state has planted more than 242 crore saplings, leading to an increase in forest cover by 559.19 square kilometres, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023. Notably, on July 9 last year, a record 37.21 crore saplings were planted in a single day.

In 2026, the state aims to plant over 35 crore saplings, starting with a “Mega Plantation Drive” in Varanasi’s Sujabad Domri area, where residents planted 2,51,446 saplings within just one hour. To boost public participation, the Forest Department launched the Green Chaupal initiative, holding monthly village-level meetings chaired by Gram Pradhans with representatives from all community sections.

The CM has personally championed these efforts, participating in drives on World Environment Day and monsoon plantation campaigns, conducting review meetings, and leading sapling planting across districts. Special initiatives include awarding ‘Green Gold Certificates’ to children born between July 1–7, 2025, along with saplings for their families under campaigns like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, which received appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Tops India’s Two-Wheeler Sales in Q3 FY25-26, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Follow

Preparations for the 2026 monsoon drive are already underway, with targets of 35 crore saplings. The recently presented state budget allocates Rs 800 crore for the Social Forestry Scheme, Rs 220 crore for Nursery Management, and Rs 189 crore for the State Compensatory Afforestation Scheme. The government’s overarching goal is to enhance Uttar Pradesh’s green cover to 15% by 2030.

Also Read: Police SUV Crash Kills Sub-Inspector, Critically Injures 4 Cops in Uttar Pradesh