Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Urges Residents To Enthusiastically Participate In The Plantation Campaign
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath engaged with village heads, panchayat presidents, district and city council members, mayors, MLAs, and MPs through a webinar to discuss the preparations for the upcoming mass plantation in 2023. The program aimed to gather information about the action plans and readiness for massive tree planting in their respective areas, while also providing guidance and encouragement to all participants.
The Chief Minister highlighted the deep-rooted belief among Indian saints that the earth is our mother and protecting it leads to the earth protecting us in return. He emphasized the tradition of seeing God in trees and the symbolism of nature as a symbol of love.
The state government has made environmental protection a top priority, planting over 135 crore saplings in the last six years with extensive public cooperation. It is gratifying to note that 80% of these plants are currently thriving. The increase in natural disasters and climate change in recent decades necessitates further efforts in environmental conservation. The Chief Minister urged everyone to seize the opportunity to improve by actively participating in the tree plantation program.
The goal is to increase the total green area of the state from 9% to 15% by 2026-27, requiring the planting and protection of 175 crore saplings in the next five years. Encouraging plantation under schemes like MGNREGA, Chief Minister Krishak Vriksha Dhan, and Chief Minister Fruit Garden will benefit farmers and the environment. Financial incentives will be provided to MGNREGA beneficiaries who plant and protect trees on their land. The Chief Minister called upon public representatives to promote this opportunity in their respective areas, benefiting both tree plantation and farmers' income.
A target of planting 35 crore saplings has been set for the upcoming massive plantation drive, with 30 crore saplings to be planted collectively on July 22 and an additional 5 crore on Independence Day. This ambitious campaign relies on public cooperation, and it is the responsibility of all public representatives to encourage participation in their areas.
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The Chief Minister urged vibrant and enthusiastic plantation activities, transforming it into a mass movement. Each gram panchayat and urban ward should aim to plant a thousand saplings, while higher targets should be set for Nagar Panchayats and Municipal Corporations. Detailed action plans should be prepared by village heads, panchayat presidents, and municipal leaders in collaboration with their members and councillors.
Plantation and tree protection go hand in hand, with the application of T-guards and assigning individuals responsible for nurturing each plant. Geo-tagging and sharing selfies on social media platforms should be encouraged to enhance the program's visibility and impact.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of Amrit Sarovars for rainwater harvesting, benefiting groundwater levels and solving saline water issues. Planting saplings on the sides and dividers of roads, along riverbanks, and at cow shelter sites should also be considered. Each planting location should have a specific theme, incorporating shade trees, fruit trees, timber trees, and medicinal plants as per the soil's suitability.
By ensuring public participation, Uttar Pradesh can easily achieve the target of planting 35 crore trees, with a population of 25 crore individuals. The Chief Minister mentioned the global appreciation received for the state's massive plantation program, including the President of France being amazed by the scale of the initiative.
Promoting agro-forestry-based industries has yielded positive results, increasing farmers' income and generating employment opportunities. Continued efforts in this direction were encouraged to maximize the benefits.
