UP To Plant 3.83 Crore Saplings Along 13 Rivers

The Yogi Government in Uttar Pradesh has announced a massive plantation drive along the banks of 13 major rivers in the state. The drive, which is part of the Plantation Mahakumbh-2026 initiative, aims to plant over 3.83 crore saplings across 22,240 hectares of land. The plantation will be carried out within a 5 km radius of the river banks, with the highest number of saplings being planted along the Yamuna River.

According to Aditi Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Forest Department has completed preparations for the plantation drive, which will be undertaken along the banks of rivers including the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saryu. The department has identified 2,673 locations along the river banks where the saplings will be planted. The drive is being undertaken on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has emphasized the importance of planting trees along river banks to maintain the ecological balance.

The Aviral Dhara Plantation Programme, which is part of the Plantation Mahakumbh-2026 initiative, aims to plant over 1 crore, 8 lakh, 18 thousand saplings along the Yamuna River alone. Similarly, over 79.86 lakh saplings will be planted along the Ganga River. The plantation drive will be carried out in the forest divisions along the Ganga, including Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Kashi Wildlife, and Ballia.

The Yogi Government has emphasized the importance of maintaining the ecological balance of the state's rivers, and the plantation drive is seen as a major step towards achieving this goal. The government has also appealed to the public to participate in the plantation drive and make it a success. The Plantation Mahakumbh-2026 initiative is being celebrated as a festival, with the aim of creating awareness about the importance of tree plantation and environmental conservation.

The plantation drive is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, with the saplings helping to maintain the ecological balance of the rivers and prevent soil erosion. The drive is also expected to create employment opportunities for local communities and contribute to the state's economy. Overall, the Yogi Government's initiative to plant over 3.83 crore saplings along 13 rivers is a major step towards maintaining the ecological balance of the state's rivers and promoting environmental conservation.

In the coming weeks, the Forest Department will be working closely with local communities and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the plantation drive. The department will also be monitoring the progress of the drive and taking steps to ensure that the saplings are properly cared for and maintained. With the Plantation Mahakumbh-2026 initiative, the Yogi Government has set an example for other states to follow, and it is hoped that the drive will inspire other governments to take similar steps towards promoting environmental conservation,