Lucknow: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) organised ‘Vriksharopan Mahayagya 2026’ on July 12, marking a major step towards environmental conservation and sustainable campus development. Held in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), and BBAU, the drive saw the plantation of nearly 8,500 saplings across the university campus.
Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary attended the event as the chief guest. The programme was also attended by Sarojini Nagar MLA Dr Rajeshwar Singh, BBAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, Lucknow Divisional Forest Officer Shitanshu Pandey, senior university officials, faculty members, students, and representatives of the Forest Department.
Addressing the gathering, Pankaj Chaudhary emphasised that a clean and healthy environment is essential for every citizen and called upon people to make environmental conservation a collective social responsibility. He said the government’s initiatives, including the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and nationwide cleanliness drives, have transformed environmental protection into a people’s movement, encouraging citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
Dr Rajeshwar Singh said large-scale plantation drives undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh Government are helping expand the state’s green cover and protect ecological balance. He described tree plantation as an investment in the well-being of future generations and urged citizens to not only plant trees but also ensure their long-term care and maintenance.
Highlighting BBAU’s commitment to sustainability, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal said the university has consistently promoted environmental stewardship through its green campus initiatives. He noted that every PhD scholar at the university is required to plant a tree as part of the admission process and submit a geo-tagged photograph of the sapling while depositing the thesis, reinforcing long-term accountability for conservation efforts.
The plantation drive was carried out in the university’s Samaras Van, where guests, students, faculty members, parents, and Forest Department personnel planted a wide variety of saplings, including mango, neem, guava, jamun, drumstick (moringa), citrus, and several flowering species. The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity while creating a healthier and greener academic environment.
During the programme, the Union Minister also visited a photo exhibition showcasing environmental conservation initiatives and plantation activities undertaken by the Forest Department. Appreciating the display, he distributed mango and moringa saplings to schoolchildren and their parents to encourage tree plantation beyond the university campus.
The event also featured the release of a coffee table book published by the Awadh Forest Division. Winners of painting and photography competitions organised in schools were felicitated for their contributions to promoting environmental awareness. Students presented a cultural programme, including a Ganesh Vandana dance performance, adding a festive touch to the occasion.
The university acknowledged the active participation of NCC cadets, Botanical Garden In-charge Dr Ravi Shankar Verma, faculty members, researchers, non-teaching staff, Forest Department officials, parents, and students, whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the large-scale plantation campaign.
