Lucknow is witnessing a green revolution under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. In just nine years, Uttar Pradesh has planted over 242 crore trees, significantly boosting the state’s forest cover by 559.19 square kilometers, as per the India State of Forest Report 2023.
The government’s ambitious afforestation drives have set new benchmarks. Last year, on July 9 alone, an astonishing 37.21 crore saplings were planted in a single day. Taking it further, residents of Varanasi shattered a Guinness World Record on Sunday by planting 251,446 trees in just one hour at the Sujabad Domri area. Judges from Guinness World Records presented certificates to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal, marking a historic moment for the city.
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Yogi has personally spearheaded these initiatives. From World Environment Day on June 5 to monsoon planting campaigns, he has led meetings and planted trees across districts. The state is now gearing up for 2026, targeting over 35 crore plantings, with detailed preparations underway in nurseries and districts.
Budget allocations underscore the commitment: Rs 800 crore for social forestry, Rs 220 crore for nursery management, and Rs 189 crore for compensatory afforestation. In a unique scheme, 18,348 newborns from July 1-7, 2025, received Green Gold Certificates along with fruit and timber saplings for their parents.
CM Yogi’s vision extends to 2030, aiming for 15% green cover statewide. To make afforestation a people’s movement, over 15,000 Green Chaupals have been formed in villages, chaired by gram pradhans with monthly meetings involving all community sections. This urban forest in Varanasi, spanning 350 bighas, has elevated UP’s global environmental stature, surpassing China’s previous record from 2018.