Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national frontrunner in forest conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Through large-scale public participation, innovative policy measures, and a strong focus on renewable energy, the state has recorded significant achievements in protecting land and forest resources while balancing development needs.
According to official data, plantation drives have been transformed into a mass movement across the state. Between 2017–18 and 2025–26, Uttar Pradesh planted 242.13 crore saplings, including record numbers under flagship campaigns such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” “Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao,” and various Seva Parv initiatives. Despite being one of the most densely populated states, Uttar Pradesh now ranks second in the country in forest and tree cover, as per the India State of Forest Report 2023 released by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun.
Record Plantation Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’
The state government intensified public participation in environmental protection through the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, achieving unprecedented results in 2025–26. Against a target of 37 crore saplings, the state planted 37.20 crore saplings by October 2025.
In addition, during the “Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao” campaign held from July 1 to July 7, 2025, a total of 1,86,053 saplings were planted, while 15,49,137 saplings were planted during various Seva Parv programmes. These initiatives have significantly enhanced green cover, strengthened carbon absorption, and supported climate change mitigation efforts.
To institutionalise environmental participation at the grassroots level, the government formed ‘Green Chaupals’ in every gram panchayat in 2025. These platforms aim to promote awareness and local action on tree plantation, water conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental sustainability. Social forestry initiatives such as Van Mahotsav 2025, Seva Parv, and the Green Gold Certificate programme further expanded community involvement in conservation efforts.
Major Gains in Wildlife Conservation
Uttar Pradesh has also registered notable progress in wildlife conservation. The Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre established in the Campierganj range of Gorakhpur is the country’s first dedicated facility for the conservation of the Red-headed Vulture.
According to the Status of Tigers–2022 report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the number of tigers in the state increased from 173 in 2018 to 205 in 2022, accounting for nearly 5.6 percent of India’s total tiger population. The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was honoured with the prestigious TX-2 Award for excellence in tiger conservation.
Special conservation programmes are also being implemented for species such as the Ganga dolphin, Sarus crane, Barasingha, Blackbuck, Chinkara, bears, and langurs, contributing to the protection of the state’s rich biodiversity.
First State to Implement Carbon Credit Finance Scheme
Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement a Carbon Credit Finance Scheme, linking environmental conservation with income generation for farmers. The initiative incentivises sustainable practices while creating new revenue streams in the green economy.
In the Clean Air Survey 2025, cities including Agra, Jhansi, and Moradabad received national recognition for their performance in urban greenery, Miyawaki plantation, and waste management.
Strong Push for Renewable Energy
Under the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy–2022, the state has already installed 2,815 megawatts of solar power capacity. Uttar Pradesh also ranks first in the country in Compressed Biogas (CBG) production, with a capacity of 213 tonnes per day, reinforcing its leadership in clean energy adoption.
The state government has set an ambitious target of increasing forest and tree cover to 15 percent by 2030. Data from 2025 indicate that through a coordinated approach combining public participation, renewable energy, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation, Uttar Pradesh is steadily moving toward realising the vision of a ‘Green UP’ anchored in sustainable and inclusive development.
