UP’s plantation drive to exceed target with 39cr saplings | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The UP forest department’s massive tree plantation drive appears to have exceeded expectations. As of now, over 39 crore saplings may have been planted across the state. Earlier, on July 9, a statewide campaign saw the planting of over 37.2 crore saplings, surpassing the target of 37 crore set for the 12-hour drive.As plantations have continued in the state under various other programmes since then, the number of trees planted in UP this year may be the highest so far. Sources in the forest department estimate that approximately 39 crore saplings have been planted so far, although the final count is yet to be released.Tree plantation events are ongoing in the state and will conclude with the ‘Ek Paudha Guru Ke Naam’ event on Teachers’ Day. The forest department has organized various plantation programmes this year in line with the state govt’s goal to boost green cover to 15% by 2030.The plantation of thematic forests and the distribution of free saplings to parents of children born during Van Mahotsav (first week of July) in govt hospitals were the new concepts introduced this year to encourage people’s participation in the plantation campaign.Thematic forests have been planted in the name of dignitaries, like Atal Van for Bharat Ratna and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ekta Van commemorating Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Eklavya Van after tribal icon Birsa Munda. Some of them were also planted as Shaurya Van and Sindoor Van to honour defence forces, and Gopal Van in ‘gaushalas’. The campaign will culminate with the ‘Ek Paudha Guru Ke Naam’ event on Sep 5, which may increase the number of trees planted in UP further up from the 39 crores estimated so far, said sources in the forest department.
