Uttar Pradesh witnessed a mega plantation drive on Sunday, wherein around 25.5 crore saplings were planted in a single day! This step has been taken with the aim of expanding the state’s overall forest cover, which presently stands at 3.05% against the national average of 2.89%. Reportedly, the UP government targets to plant 30 crore saplings in July.
UP heads towards a ‘Green Revamp’
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a well-structured programme to facilitate a green facelift in the state. Under this scheme, the state will be hosting annual plantation drives on a mega scale to scale up the forest cover. Reportedly, this initiative found its momentum on Sunday, when around 25.5 crore saplings – of the 30 crore target, were planted in a single day.
State and public join hands to boost UP’s green cover
To inculcate the idea of aforestation among the general public, the state has also started a competition for the same. People will be required to upload photographs of plantations on the forest department’s website, read reports. The winners will be acknowledged and credited with awards, which will encourage them further and even motivate others.
Statistical reports of the Forest Survey of India highlight that UP has increased its forest cover by127 square kilometres in 2019 compared to the 2017 assessment. This reveals that that in the last five years (including the 2021-2022 plantation drive), the state has achieved the feat of planting 100 crore trees.
