Gorakhpur, July 12: The expansion of forest cover across the state remains a core priority to ensure environmental balance and long-term water security. Forests play a vital role in maintaining the natural water cycle, as a single tree can absorb and retain thousands of liters of water. Large-scale tree plantation is essential to prevent irregularities in the rainfall cycle, which can directly impact agricultural productivity and cause drinking water challenges.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath affirmed these environmental priorities on Sunday after planting a Maulsari sapling along the Tal Ring Road near RKBK as part of the Paudharopan Mahayagya 2026. He declared that rivers remain perennial primarily in areas with dense forest cover or a high concentration of trees. He maintained that indiscriminate felling could lead to severe water shortages, which in turn might trigger a food grain crisis affecting the farming community.
To counteract environmental imbalances, the administration is encouraging every citizen to actively participate in the ongoing plantation campaign centered around the theme ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.’ The initiative urges individuals to not only plant a sapling but also commit to its long-term protection and growth.
The state has established an ambitious target of planting 35 crore saplings in a single day. Officials noted that the objective is highly achievable given the extensive infrastructure in place, including more than 57 lakh available nurseries across Uttar Pradesh. The drive encompasses a diverse variety of saplings, including medicinal, fruit-bearing, shade-giving, and timber-yielding species.
The government has consistently advanced major afforestation campaigns each year, implementing robust mechanisms to ensure the survival and protection of new growth. These sustained efforts have contributed to a visible expansion of forest cover in recent surveys. Following the plantation ceremony, the Chief Minister spent time observing the scenic landscape of Ramgarh Tal.
The expansion of forest cover alongside rapid physical infrastructure development remains a vital objective for ensuring environmental balance and sustainable progress across the state, he said.
A single mature tree plays an essential role in ecological conservation by absorbing hundreds of tonnes of carbon dioxide and contributing to oxygen emission. Sustained afforestation efforts over the past nine years have successfully expanded the green cover of Uttar Pradesh, contributing significantly to carbon absorption and climate resilience.
Also, addressing a public gathering at GIDA Sector-28, the Chief Minister maintained that while Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an unprecedented expansion of highways, expressways, and urban centers since 2017, the state has simultaneously prioritized ecological health. He stated that past disruptions to nature, such as indiscriminate tree felling and the overexploitation of water resources, have led to noticeable irregularities in the weather and monsoon cycles. He asserted that active participation in tree plantation and protection is a national duty necessary to secure the well-being of future generations.
The administration has introduced several green initiatives to complement the tree-planting campaign, including the transition to energy-efficient LED street lights and the promotion of renewable energy through the PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana. Furthermore, the extensive distribution of free LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana has successfully reduced household smoke pollution for over two crore families in the state. To encourage community involvement, the government is also providing financial benefits to farmers who plant trees on their land under the Carbon Credit Finance Scheme.
During the event, the Chief Minister released a short film titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Ke 9 Varsh Ki Harit Gatha’ along with the official ‘Forestry Calendar’ for the upcoming year. He distributed Moringa saplings to beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana and handed over carbon credit financial assistance certificates to local farmers who successfully planted hundreds of saplings on their land. State officials declared that these collaborative efforts have positioned Uttar Pradesh as a leading state in the country regarding the expansion of green cover, with plans underway to soon establish a dedicated Forestry University in Gorakhpur.
The event was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLC and BJP State Vice President Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Regional President Vinod Rai, Metropolitan President Ramesh Pratap Gupta, and former Metropolitan President Rajesh Gupta, alongside local councillors.
