Uttar Pradesh to Plant 35 Crore Saplings on July 12 Under Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2026

New Delhi, July 11, 2026: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that Uttar Pradesh will undertake a mega plantation drive of 35 crore saplings on July 12 under Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2026, aiming to transform the initiative into a statewide public movement for environmental conservation, water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Reviewing the preparations through video conferencing, the Chief Minister said that tree plantation is not merely a government campaign but a collective movement to secure the future of coming generations. He emphasised that the campaign's success would not be measured only by the number of saplings planted, but by ensuring their survival and growth into mature trees.

The State Government has set a target of increasing Uttar Pradesh's green cover to 15 percent by 2030 and 20 percent by 2047. To achieve this, the state plans to plant 35 crore saplings annually over the next five years, creating the capacity to absorb nearly 72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The Chief Minister directed all departments to ensure complete preparedness for the July 12 campaign, including verification of plantation sites, availability of saplings, geo-tagging, irrigation arrangements, and regular monitoring. He also called for extensive participation from citizens, public representatives, students, farmers, voluntary organisations, and government departments, making the plantation drive a true people's movement.

Departmental action plans prepared by the Departments of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Revenue, and Urban Development were reviewed during the meeting. The Chief Minister also directed that beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi be actively linked to the campaign and stressed the need for planting a diverse mix of fruit-bearing, shade-giving, medicinal, and timber species.

According to the review, Uttar Pradesh has recorded significant progress in expanding its green cover. Between 2017 and 2023, the state added nearly 3.38 lakh acres of forest and tree cover, with overall forest and tree cover increasing from 9.18 percent in 2017 to 9.96 percent. Between 2017 and 2025, the state planted 242 crore saplings, compared to 51.48 crore between 2009 and 2016.

The Chief Minister also reviewed several special initiatives planned under the campaign, including Mission Chhaya, Samaras Van, Samriddhi Van, City Van, Kapi Van, Maharshi Charak Aushadhi Van, Urja Van, Pauranik Van, and Aviral Dhara Van. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing biodiversity, mitigating heat waves, promoting agroforestry, and strengthening ecological conservation across the state.

With ambitious targets, structured departmental planning, and active public participation, Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2026 is being positioned as a key pillar of Uttar Pradesh's long-term strategy for environmental sustainability and climate action.