Uttar Pradesh achieves new green feat, plants 25.5 crore saplings in a day

LUCKNOW: In a massive feat, at least 25.5 crore saplings were planted across Uttar Pradesh on Sunday as part of mega plantation drive, Vriksharopan Janaandolan 2021.
The Yogi Adityanath government had fixed the target of planting 30 crore saplings in 2021-22 out of which 25 crore were to be planted on Sunday. Surpassing the target, over 25.5 crore trees were planted during the day. The remaining five crore trees will also be planted this month.

While Governor Anandiben Patel participated in the plantation of ‘Smriti Vatika’, which has 5,000 saplings, in Jhansi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a programme in Sultanpur along the Purvanchal Expressway (at Package-3 of the expressway in Baldirai tehsil).
Purvanchal Expressway is set to be inaugurated next month. Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the state was about to create many new records in plantation this year.
Purvanchal e-way to be green model & industrial corridor
In the last five years (including the number of trees planted in the last four years and 30cr in 2021-22), UP will complete plantation of over 100 crore trees,” Yogi said, appreciating the people’s enthusiasm towards the campaign.
In 2017-18, total 5.71crore trees were planted which went up to 11.77 crore in 2018-19. About 22.59 crore trees were planted in 2019-20 followed by 25.87crore in 2020-21.
The plantation drive, which started on July 1 to mark Vriksharopan Janaandolan, will continue in all districts till July 7.
The record of plantation of 25 crore saplings was achieved at 5.49pm on Sunday, and by late evening, 25,51,04,004 (25.5crore) saplings had been planted.
Over five crore trees were planted by citizens, farmers, organizations and institutes on occasions like the World Environment Day and others which was over and above the departmental plantation.
Addressing the programme in Sultanpur, the CM said: “Two-three years ago, we had agricultural fields and ordinary land here. Today, we have Purvanchal Expressway which will be the backbone of east UP’s economy.”
“Keeping the Purvanchal Expressway in mind, our government will develop five industrial clusters at five different locations. This will help the youth find jobs in UP itself. The youth will realize the PM’s dream of making UP a one-billion dollar economy,” Yogi said.
He said plantation along the Purvanchal Expressway by his government would set an example. The Expressway would not only be an industrial corridor but also a model of environment conservation, CM said.
“The state government is working towards the creation of employment opportunities in eastern UP and boosting industrialization in the region,” he added.
Yogi said he wished that the plantation drive was organised under a 100-year-old tree in Sultanpur which was declared a heritage tree by the state government. “I performed puja at the site before I came here to address you all. I wish this programme was organised under the banyan tree. It would have added to the beauty of the event.”
The CM said during previous campaigns he had participated in the plantation of Navgrah Vatika, Nakshatra Vatika and Panchvati. “I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to plant trees which are considered to be pious in our ‘Rishi Parampara’.”
Among the new initiatives of forest department was raising of a ‘Smriti Vatika’. “I appreciate the forest department for laying these gardens in the memory of those who died during Covid-19 pandemic. I wish their memories stay alive through these vatikas,” he said.
The CM also appealed to the people to adhere to Covid-19 protocol religiously. “The pandemic is not yet over though we have successfully controlled it to a large extent. We are providing all facilities from testing to vaccination and sanitization. People should listen to surveillance committees and follow their advice on vaccination. Vaccine is the only protective shield against coronavirus.”
To encourage people to plant more saplings, the government has also started a competition and winners will be awarded. People will have to upload photographs of plantation on forest department’s website.