Highlights
- Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath started off the state’s Van Mahotsav
- 9 crore saplings to be planted by August 15, said CM Adityanath
- UP has a forest cover of 9.01 per cent vs country's average of 33%
New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath officially began the state’s participation in Van Mahotsav today, and congratulated the residents of Uttar Pradesh for being a part of the state’s tree plantation initiative. The Chief Minister began the state’s participation in the Van Mahotsav festival by planting a sapling at Barabanki. While addressing a gathering on the occasion of Van Mahotsav, Chief Minister Adityanath said that protecting the environment has always been his priority, and urged people to join his cause of environmental protection.
The Van Mahotsav festival, a week-long tree plantation programme from July 1 to 7, has seen the participation of states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, who have committed to plant a large number of saplings in the coming years. Speaking about the importance of trees, Yogi Adityanath said that the rivers in the state have been suffering due to unsuitable atmosphere present for them. If such an unhealthy atmosphere continued to prevail in the state, the rivers will be in danger, said the Chief Minister. Trees strengthen soil and ensure a smoother flow of rivers. The Chief Minister urged people to come together and cooperate with the state’s forest department to keep the plantation drive going.
जनपद बाराबंकी के महादेवा में स्थित लोधेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर परिसर में पौधारोपण कर वन महोत्सव कार्यक्रम-2018 का शुभारंभ किया। pic.twitter.com/O7lG8XIOBU
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 6, 2018
Uttar Pradesh recorded a forest cover of just 9.01 per cent in 2016, way below the national average of 33 per cent. To make up for this stark difference, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister plans to plant 9 crore saplings by August 15. Trees rich in medicinal properties and of religious significance will be planted across the state. Apart from the forest department, school and college students as well as officials from other government departments have been asked to partake in the tree plantation exercise.
Apart from planting trees, the UP CM also stressed on the importance of their conversation. The Chief Minister said that all the trees planted as a part of Van Mahotsav will be monitored regularly. The status of the trees will be checked every three months to see what state they are in. He invited people from all religions and sects to become a part of this movement, saying that this drive was towards the betterment of Mother Earth’s health.
