Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced that the state aims to increase its forest cover from the current 10 per cent to 16 per cent, aligning with the state's share in the national population.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, CM Yogi highlighted the success of the state’s afforestation efforts and the ongoing ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched on World Environment Day.
“The campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' that we started in alignment with the Prime Minister's vision on World Environment Day - June 5, 2025, is achieving new heights of success. On June 29, this campaign moved ahead, and on July 9, it will achieve a new height when 37 crore saplings will be planted across Uttar Pradesh... I am happy that the 210 crore tree plantation programs were successfully completed in 8 years. We now have 10% forest cover. We should aim for 16% of forest cover in Uttar Pradesh, which will equal the country's 16% population living in the state," CM Yogi Adityanath said.
He noted the progress the state has made in sapling production and the shift towards indigenous species. “In 2017, when we had to conduct a plantation drive, we could hardly obtain five crore saplings from the nurseries of the forest department. In 2025, we have 52 crore saplings - and are not of Eucalyptus or Popular but neem, mango, peepal,” he said.
CM Yogi also emphasized the significance of environmental initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions. “I am happy that PM Modi's campaign to protect the environment by planting saplings - under 'Ek ped maa ke naam' campaign has been successful and to give it a newer heights, on July 9, a record number of saplings - over 37 crore will be planted in a single day,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary. Remembering his contributions as an educationist and public servant, CM Yogi said, “It is the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee today. On behalf of the people of the state, I pay tribute to him today. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on 6th July 1901. At the age of 33, he became the youngest Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. He was a great educationist and freedom fighter. The country remembers the service he did during the Bengal famine.”
The twin events in Lucknow underlined both the state’s environmental ambitions and its tribute to a towering figure in India’s political and academic history.