More than 242 crore saplings were planted in Uttar Pradesh in 9 years under the leadership of Yogi government. The target is to plant 35 crore trees in 2026, taking the total number to cross 277 crore. With Green Chaupal and public participation, UP is moving towards becoming a green state.
Lucknow. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly moving towards becoming a ‘Green State’. More than 242.13 crore saplings have been planted in the state in the last 9 years, whereas only 65.27 crore saplings were planted between 2008 and 2016. Even in the year 2026, the Forest Department is preparing to plant more than 35 crore saplings. In this way, the target is to increase the total plantation in Uttar Pradesh to more than 277 crores by 2026. Due to these efforts, the forest cover of the state has increased to 559.19 square kilometers.
37 crore saplings in one day: UP made a big record
Uttar Pradesh had made a big record by planting 37.21 crore saplings in a single day on 9 July 2025. Now preparations for the plantation campaign of 2026 have also started. Recently, in a massive plantation program organized in Sujabad Domri area of Varanasi, 2,51,446 saplings were planted in just one hour. The Guinness World Records judge also awarded a certificate for this achievement.
CM Yogi’s birthday and Environment Day: Start with plantation
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s birthday falls on June 5, which is also Environment Day. On this day the Chief Minister starts his birthday by planting trees. Every year since 2017, he himself monitors this campaign and motivates people to join it. School children, youth, women, elderly and social organizations all become part of this campaign.
Green Gold Certificate and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign
Yogi government gave ‘Green Gold Certificate’ to 18,348 children born between 1 to 7 July 2025. By giving saplings to their families, they were made to pledge that along with the child, the plant should also be taken care of. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appreciated the efforts of Uttar Pradesh in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Made new history by breaking China’s record
Uttar Pradesh created a new history in the field of environment on March 1. China’s 8 year old record was broken by planting 2,51,446 saplings in one hour in Sujabad Domri, Varanasi. Earlier in 2018, a record of 1,53,981 plants was set in China’s Henan province. This achievement is a matter of pride for the state.
Preparation to plant 35 crore trees in 2026
Yogi government has set a target of planting 35 crore trees in the rainy season 2026. For this, instructions have been given to nurseries and departments.
- More than 52 crore saplings are being prepared
- Provision of ₹800 crore for social forestry scheme
- ₹220 crore for nursery management
- ₹189 crore for compensatory forest planting
The government hopes that this target will also be achieved with public participation.
Awareness increasing through ‘Green Chaupal’ in villages
To make environmental protection a mass movement, the government has started ‘Green Chaupal’ in villages.
- Till now Chaupal has been organized in more than 18,000 villages.
- Meetings chaired by village head
- At least one meeting every month is mandatory
The Chief Minister has set a target of increasing the green cover of the state to 15% by 2030.
Uttar Pradesh towards a green future
Due to the efforts of Yogi government, Uttar Pradesh is continuously making new records in environmental protection. By making tree plantation a mass movement, the state is taking strong steps towards green development.