'One Tree For Mother': Uttar Pradesh Targets Historic Tree Plantation To Combat Climate Crisis

Lucknow: The state is gearing up for a massive Van Mahotsav in July, aiming to transform into a greener region. A high-level review meeting has set a target to plant more trees in a single day than the state's total population. This initiative, themed "One Tree for Mother," seeks to shift the region from heatwaves to greenwaves.

Between 2017 and 2024, over 204.92 crore trees were planted, resulting in an increase of three lakh acres in green cover from 2017 to 2023, as per the Indian Forest Survey, Dehradun. For the upcoming Van Mahotsav, a total of 35 crore saplings are slated for planting, exceeding the state's total population. Every newly born infant during this period will receive a Green Gold Certificate and a sapling, promoting the message of "plant trees, save trees." Every planted sapling will undergo geo-tagging, and proper fencing arrangements will be ensured for their protection.

The Forest Department will plant 12.60 crore saplings, while other departments will contribute 22.40 crore. Nodal officers have been appointed for coordination. Over 52.43 crore saplings are ready in various nurseries, including those managed by the Forest, Horticulture, Sericulture departments, and private nurseries.

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Instructions have been issued for extensive plantation in schools, medical colleges, district hospitals (including shade-giving trees like Moringa), industrial units, and cow shelters. Significant tree planting will also occur along expressways to create attractive green corridors between service lanes and main roads.

Beneficiaries of the Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi are encouraged to plant at least one tree. The campaign emphasizes public participation through various awareness programs. Additionally, efforts will focus on river rejuvenation through extensive plantation on both banks and the channelization of rivers, alongside ensuring tree planting around and conservation of all water bodies.