UP aims to increase forest cover to 15% by 2030, monthly meetings of Green Chaupal to be mandatory
Lucknow: In a decisive step toward increasing green cover in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government is set to launch “Green Chaupal” at the village level. The initiative is a part of the state’s ambitious plan to bring 15% of its geographical area under greenery by 2030. The idea, spearheaded by the Forest Department, will involve grassroots participation to transform tree plantation into a people’s movement.
Under this initiative, every gram sabha (village council) will have a dedicated Green Chaupal, chaired by the village pradhan (head). The Gram Panchayat Officer will act as the convener, while a Section/Beat Officer from the Forest Department will serve as member secretary.
Inclusive and Participatory Structure
The Green Chaupal will be composed of a cross-section of village representatives to ensure broad participation. Members will include three panchayat members (at least one woman), one self-help group woman representative, the headmaster of the village primary school, an Anganwadi worker, a progressive farmer, local environmentalists or NGOs, and a representative from the Biodiversity Management Committee. Departmental representatives will be special invitees.
Monthly Meetings and Village Forests to be Established
Each Green Chaupal will hold at least one mandatory meeting per month. One of its major responsibilities will be to establish and maintain “Gram Van” or village forests on available vacant land within the gram panchayat limits. Micro-plans for plantation will be prepared and implemented with the help of the village community.
In addition, the Chaupal will focus on raising awareness about various government schemes related to environment conservation, climate change, biodiversity, afforestation, carbon credits, alternative energy, and more. Tools like street plays, rallies, and group discussions will be employed to promote ecological awareness at the local level, especially among students.
Creation of Village Green Fund
The Green Chaupal will also work on the establishment and management of a Gram Harit Nidhi (Village Green Fund), which will be used for plantation drives, maintenance, and other green initiatives. A special emphasis will be laid on educating villagers about managing human-wildlife conflict and encouraging sustainable practices.
Monitoring and Coordination
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) will coordinate Green Chaupal activities, and the functioning will be monitored by the District Tree Plantation Committee. The initiative will align with national-level missions such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s environmental commitments.
“In line with the Chief Minister’s vision, preparations for setting up Green Chaupals are underway. These village-level units will play a vital role in increasing greenery and achieving sustainability goals through monthly meetings and coordinated efforts,” said Ram Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Projects).
The formation of Green Chaupal marks a grassroots-driven effort to make Uttar Pradesh not just greener, but also more environmentally conscious and resilient in the face of climate change.
