Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in a sapling plantation event in Lucknow under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. On the occasion, he extended wishes to the people of Uttar Pradesh for Ganga Dussehra and World Environment Day.
Speaking about Ganga Dussehra, CM Yogi said, "Today is a very auspicious and holy day... On this day, not only the followers of Sanatan Dharma but every Indian's desire to attain salvation was fulfilled... On this auspicious day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the country the Namami Gange Programme. We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the bottom of our hearts for this."
Addressing the challenges of climate change and the state's environmental efforts, he added, "The world is going through difficulties. These are man-made and man has to resolve them. That's why PM Narendra Modi has asked the citizens to develop a coordination and relationship with nature. He has named it EK Ped Maa Ke Naam."
He further informed, "If monsoon arrives by June 23, which is also the 'Balidan Diwas' of Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, there will be a grand tree plantation event. July 1-7, a Van Mahotsav will be celebrated by the people of the state."
Highlighting the targets for tree planting, CM Yogi said, "This year's goal is to plant more than 35 crore trees. This (tree plantation) will go on till August 15. 210 crore trees have been planted in the last eight years, and 75-80 per cent of those trees are still alive. I wish Ganga Dussehra and World Environment Day to the citizens of the state."