Lucknow: In a bid to make the city greener and more environment-friendly, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Tuesday organized a large-scale plantation drive at Radha Nikunj Park, Sector-8, Vrindavan Yojna, under its ongoing campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in the Name of Mother).
The event was graced by Uttar Pradesh Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna as the chief guest. Launching the drive, the minister planted a Red Sandalwood sapling in the park premises. He underlined that trees are not only vital for maintaining ecological balance but also lay the foundation for a healthier life for future generations. He praised the municipal initiative, calling it a meaningful step towards spreading awareness on the importance of greenery.
Mayor Sushma Kharakwal also joined the drive by planting a Ficus Benjamina sapling. She said the campaign offers citizens a unique opportunity to express gratitude towards motherhood and nature. Urging people to participate, she appealed that every citizen should plant at least one sapling every year and ensure its proper care.
The drive saw active participation from public representatives including Councilor Saurabh Singh Monu, Councilor Himanshu Ambedkar, representatives Sanjeev Awasthi and Manoj Rawat, among others.
Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar planted a Ficus Benjamina sapling and emphasized that plantation can only succeed if people ensure regular nurturing of the plants. Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Arvind Kumar Rao echoed similar sentiments, calling on citizens to adopt environmental conservation as a lifestyle. Zonal Officer Ajit Rai, Garden Superintendents Shashikant and Gangaram Gautam, along with their teams, were also present.
Under this special plantation drive, as many as 400 saplings were planted, including medicinal, fruit-bearing, and shade-giving species such as Red Sandalwood, Mango, Guava, Sindoor, Bael, Amla, Peepal, Neem, Bottlebrush, Jamun, Kachnar, Tamarind, Pakhad, Banyan, Rudraksh, Parijat, and Arjun. The carefully chosen mix aims not only to enhance greenery but also provide nutritional and medicinal benefits to the community.
The highlight of the program was the enthusiastic participation of local residents along with the minister, mayor, councilors, and officials, lending the event the flavor of a public movement.
On the occasion, Minister Khanna also administered a pledge to all present, urging them to take responsibility for the protection and nurturing of the saplings. “Today’s initiative is a strong step towards ensuring clean air and a green environment for the coming generations,” he said.
