Lucknow – After setting a national record by planting over 37 crore saplings in a single day on July 9, Uttar Pradesh is now gearing up to establish a series of ‘special forests’ across the state during the monsoon season. These themed plantation drives—ranging from “Shakti Van” to “Shaurya Van”—will not only boost environmental conservation but also celebrate cultural values, family bonds, and national pride.
Plantation Linked to Festivals and Emotions
As part of this initiative, the state government will mark Raksha Bandhan (August 9) with a “Bhai-Behan Van”, where siblings will plant trees together to symbolize love and protection. On Independence Day (August 15), a “Shaurya/Sindoor Van” will be established to honor national bravery, and on Teachers’ Day (September 5), the state will promote “Ek Ped Guru Ke Naam”—urging students and citizens to plant a tree in tribute to their mentors.
Key Themed Forests and Dates
The Forest Department has released the schedule of state-level plantation events to be conducted as celebratory festivals. Each event has been assigned to different forest divisions:
| Special Forest | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Eklavya Van | July 18 | Pilibhit |
| Oxy Van | July 19 | Bareilly |
| Shakti Van | July 21 | Lucknow |
| Triveni Van | July 23 | Prayagraj |
| Atal Van | July 25 | Agra |
| Drumstick Plantation Drive (Sahjan Bhandara) | July 26 | All Forest Divisions |
| Gopal Van | July 27 | Mathura |
| Ekta Van | July 31 | Meerut |
| Pavitra Dhara Plantation | August 4 | All Forest Divisions |
| Industrial Plantation Drives | August 6 (Kanpur), August 7 (Bareilly), August 8 (Meerut) | |
| Bhai-Behan Plantation (Rakshabandhan Vatika) | August 9 | All Forest Divisions |
| Shaurya/Sindoor Van | August 15 | Lucknow |
| Ek Ped Guru Ke Naam | September 5 | All Forest Divisions |
Statewide Festive Implementation
As per instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, these events will be conducted in a festive atmosphere. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sunil Choudhary has designated zonal and divisional Chief Conservators as nodal officers to oversee each event at the state level.
The initiative is part of the larger “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign, aiming to instill emotional and cultural value in environmental conservation efforts.
Focus on Sustainability and Participation
In 2025, the UP government is emphasizing not just plantation, but preservation and community participation, especially involving women, school children, industries, and rural communities. The special forests are designed to reflect environmental goals alongside cultural reverence, from mythological symbolism (Eklavya Van) to honoring national leaders (Atal Van), unity (Ekta Van), and eco-health (Oxy Van).
Green Festivals for a Greener Future
Through these innovative and emotionally resonant plantation drives, Uttar Pradesh is aiming to build a long-term culture of ecological responsibility, making forest conservation a household activity. With such campaigns integrated with social and national events, the state hopes to inspire a deep-rooted connection with nature in every citizen.
This festive afforestation movement is yet another bold green initiative by the Yogi Adityanath-led government, positioning Uttar Pradesh at the forefront of India’s climate and environmental leadership.
