Prayagraj: Riding on a steady rise in green cover over the past six years, Prayagraj on Sunday joined Uttar Pradesh’s mega plantation campaign with government departments, judges, public representatives, farmers and thousands of citizens planting saplings across the district. Officials said the drive would further boost the district’s forest cover, which has already increased by 39.33 sq km between 2017 and 2023, according to the Forest Survey of India.Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Arvind Kumar said Prayagraj currently has a green cover of 169 sq km, and the ongoing plantation drive will help expand it further. He said increasing forest cover is essential to offset the decline in tree numbers caused by rapid urbanisation.State ministers and other public representatives planted saplings at Chandrashekhar Azad Park as part of the state-wide campaign.At the Allahabad High Court, the Chief Justice and 38 other judges planted saplings near the newly constructed Advocates’ Building within the court complex. The Chief Justice and his wife also planted saplings at their official residence.The plantation drive also witnessed participation from social and voluntary organisations, educational institutions, Civil Defence, industrial and trade bodies, medical associations, petrol pump owners, brick-kiln associations and various clubs.At Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) State University, students and faculty members planted more than 1,000 saplings.The campaign drew enthusiastic public participation across urban and rural areas, with farmers, Krishi Sakhis and villagers planting saplings in fields, along farm boundaries and at public places.Deputy Director of Agriculture, Prayagraj, Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma said the Agriculture Department successfully achieved its target of planting 16 lakh saplings. He said 25 Krishi Sakhis played a key role in creating awareness across 28 gram panchayats, while beneficiaries of government welfare schemes, particularly the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, also actively participated.To encourage the plantation of fruit-bearing trees, the Forest Department organised a special distribution drive for the first time, providing free mango saplings at various locations across the district. In addition, drumstick (sahjan) saplings were planted at all anganwadi centres.
