Lucknow: In a bold and environmentally significant move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that every tree planted across the state will be geo-tagged, ensuring transparency, monitoring, and accountability in the upcoming Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2025.
During a high-level review meeting ahead of the Van Mahotsav scheduled for July, CM Yogi declared that the state is aiming to plant more trees in a single day than the total population of Uttar Pradesh. The campaign, themed “One Tree in the Name of Mother”, is expected to transform the state from a heatwave-prone region to a thriving green zone.
Record Green Coverage and Ambitious Goals
Between 2017 and 2024, over 204.92 crore saplings have already been planted across Uttar Pradesh. According to the Forest Survey of India, the state has added 3 lakh acres of green cover from 2017 to 2023 — a historic milestone.
This year, the goal is to plant 35 crore saplings during the Van Mahotsav, exceeding the state’s population. To ensure systematic execution, geo-tagging and fencing of every sapling will be mandatory.
52 Crore Saplings Ready in Nurseries
A robust supply chain has been set up with over 52 crore saplings available across 1901 forest department nurseries, 146 horticulture nurseries, 55 silk department nurseries, and 484 private nurseries.
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Forest Department will plant 12.6 crore saplings
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Other departments will plant 22.4 crore saplings
Nodal officers have been appointed in each department to coordinate the effort.
Planting in Schools, Hospitals, Expressways
CM Yogi has directed mass plantation drives in:
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All schools under Project Alankar
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Medical colleges and district hospitals (including shade-giving trees like moringa)
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Industrial areas and gaushalas (especially with neem, peepal, pakar)
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Along all expressways to create attractive green corridors between service lanes and highways
He emphasized involving PM-KISAN beneficiaries by encouraging each to plant at least one sapling.
Community Engagement and Cultural Integration
To build public momentum, the CM called for mass participation and suggested organizing:
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Nukkad nataks (street plays)
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Art, debate, and photography competitions
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Prabhat pheris (morning awareness walks)
Green Certificates for Newborns
In a symbolic gesture promoting environmental consciousness, every child born during Van Mahotsav will receive a “Green Gold Certificate”, and their parents will be gifted a sapling to plant and nurture.
River and Pond Rejuvenation
The CM also instructed that tree plantation should be carried out along riverbanks and ponds as part of an integrated water conservation and river channelization program. These steps aim to protect natural water bodies and enhance ecosystem resilience.
Towards a Greener Future
With an ambitious target and systematic execution plan, the 2025 plantation drive is set to become one of the largest green movements in the country. CM Yogi has envisioned a statewide people’s movement to ensure Uttar Pradesh leads by example in sustainable environmental development.
