Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while kick starting the massive plantation drive ‘Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan-2024’ on Saturday, said that it is the responsibility of every individual to protect the saplings they plant in the name of their mothers.
The CM said, “If the tree is saved, the environment will also be saved. By protecting the environment, we can avoid the horrors of global warming and heat waves. The alarm bell has rung.”
Under Yogi’s leadership, a massive 36.50 crore sapling plantation campaign was launched in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. As part of the ‘Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan’, dedicated to ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ the CM planted a Harishankari sapling in response to PM Narendra Modi’s call.
During the event, the CM said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the citizens to plant ‘Ek ped maa ke naam’ on World Environment Day, June 5. Environmentalists are concerned that global warming is posing a new threat to life on the Earth. This crisis, caused by human selfishness, should be addressed by human actions. As the constitutional head of the world’s largest democracy, PM Modi’s call should resonate as a guiding principle for every Indian.”
He emphasised that UP, with a population of 25 crores, aims to set a new record by planting 36.50 crore saplings. “In this effort, three saplings will be planted in the name of every ‘matri shakti’ within a single day in UP today. Approximately 12 crore saplings have already been planted since morning. Our mission is to plant, protect, and preserve the environment,” he said.
Yogi said that last October, a significant area was affected by flooding, a period that typically lasts from August to mid-September. “For the first time, we faced the devastation of floods as early as the first week of July, impacting 24 districts in UP and affecting over 20 lakh people,” he said.
He explained that excessive rainfall in Nepal and Uttarakhand caused severe flooding in the region. “This is a consequence of global warming. The months of May and June this year will be remembered for a long time, as temperatures, which typically range from 42-45 degree Celsius, soared to 47-50 degree Celsius,” he said.
He pointed out that this adverse effect will also lead to a water crisis, resulting in untimely rains in some areas and drought in others. “The changes brought about by this situation could also lead to the threat of famine in many regions,” he said.
The CM said that after the formation of the government in UP in 2017, the state government initiated a plantation campaign under the guidance and leadership of the PM. “In seven years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (JP)-led government has planted 168 crore saplings. A third-party survey in the state revealed that 75-80 percent of the trees are still alive and thriving, forming well-established gardens. Global institutions have recognised these efforts,” he said.
He said, “Carbon emissions are harming the environment, and to mitigate this, farmers registered with the tree planting campaign. Global institutions inspected their work, and arrangements were made to provide money in the form of carbon credit to 10 farmers. As a result of the government’s efforts, the UP government is receiving a grant of Rs 200 crore for this initiative.”
Yogi said that these trees have also played a significant role in reducing carbon emissions. “Farmers will receive this amount continuously for five years, and in the first phase, 25,000 farmers are being provided the benefit of this facility,” he said.
Highlighting the formation of the State Capital Region, which aims to establish Lucknow and six other districts as benchmarks of economic progress, he emphasised that long-term development benefits will be realised when environmental damage is minimised alongside physical development.
The CM said that before 2017, cities used halogen street lights, leading to high electricity consumption and increased carbon emissions. “By replacing these with 16 lakh LED street lights, we saved electricity, and the money saved was used to improve city streets with better lighting. Banning single-use plastic is another significant effort to protect the environment and the living world,” he said.
He recounted that 50 years ago, the Kukrail river flowed and joined the Gomti river. “However, after 1984, land mafias began filling it in for their own gain, transforming it into a drain and a dumping ground for sewage. This destruction not only killed the river but also polluted the Gomti River, which turned black by the time it reached Lucknow. The state government decided to establish a night safari in Kukrail,” he said.
Yogi explained that encroachments in the area were cleared, and with administrative support, the LDA rehabilitated 3,100 families with proper documentation by providing each family with a new house. “The LDA also filed FIRs against the land mafias who had deceived people through illegal land transactions and fought the issue up to the Supreme Court to regain control of the land,” he said.
Pointing out that Akbar Nagar was once a source of pollution, he said, “Today, Saumitra Van has been established there in honour of Lord Ram’s younger brother, Lakshman. I also planted Harishankari saplings myself. On the opposite side, Shakti Van will be developed. This will help preserve India’s river culture,” he said
The CM said that the entire state is engaged in this campaign. “The Governor is promoting it in Sitapur, and all UP government departments are involved under the leadership of the Forest Department. Every district, along with ministers, MPs, MLAs, mayors, block pramukhs, and other public representatives, is participating. The state has an ample supply of plants, with 50 crore available from the Forest and Horticulture Department and an additional 4 crore from private nurseries,” he said.
He expressed confidence that by the end of the day, there will be positive news confirming that UP has met its target.
Yogi mentioned that drumstick saplings are being planted in the homes of 56 lakh beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana. “The state government has also intensified efforts to preserve heritage trees, particularly those over 100 years old,” he said.
He highlighted the Kalpavriksha tree in Barabanki, which is 5,000 years old and has witnessed many generations. This ancient tree from the ‘Dwapar era’ is still standing today.
The Chief Minister planted a Harishankari sapling at Saumitra Van, located on the Kukrail river bank, Ayodhya Road, Lucknow. Prior to this, the CM tied Raksha Sutra to the plants.
This event marked the launch of the Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan-2024, which aims to plant 36.50 crore saplings across the state in a single day. The CM also reviewed the proposed action plan for the development of Saumitra Van and watched a related short film.
To raise environmental awareness among students, Yogi distributed saplings to students Atul Kumar Anand, Arpit Singh, Shisht Kumar Tiwari, Pallavi Shukla, and Akanksha Dubey. He encouraged them to plant and care for the saplings.
By promoting environmental conservation, farmers can also earn income through carbon credit cards. The CM distributed cheques to farmers for their carbon credit earnings. Among those felicitated with cheques were Thakri Singh, Sitara Chandra, Salim Ahmed, Vijayalakshmi, Vinod Kumar, Ramlotan, Premshankar, Kulwinder Singh Badhwa, Prabha Devi, and Vyasmuni Mishra.
