Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a sapling near the Link Expressway in Sahjanwa tehsil of Gorakhpur on Sunday. On the day, 35 crore saplings will be planted in UP by the forest department, along with 26 other govt departments and the public.The two deputy CMs will also participate in the drive. While Keshav Prasad Maurya will be present in Jhansi, Brajesh Pathak will plant saplings in Lucknow. Forest minister Arun Kumar Saxena will be present in Gorakhpur.Other ministers and people’s representatives will also lead the campaign at different sites.The department of forest, environment and climate change will plant the highest number of saplings, 15.5 crore, while the rural development department will plant 10 crore saplings. Meanwhile, the agriculture department will plant 3.3 crore, horticulture 1.5 crore and panchayati raj 1.2 crore saplings.On the instructions of the CM, the campaign will be conducted as a festival, involving widespread public participation from central and state govt departments, public representatives, social organisations and educational institutions.The initiative includes establishment of various specialised forests across the state, such as Samriddhi Van, Samras Van, Kapi Van, Maharshi Charak Aushadhi Van and Urja Van, as well as eco-restoration work in Mathura district to revive 36 ancient sacred groves (Pauranik Van).Key components of the campaign will include ‘Mission Chhaya’ (Mission Shade), ‘Aviral Dhara’ plantation, ‘Sahjan Bhandara’ (drumstick plantation drive), and ‘Aam Bhandara’ (mango plantation drive). Under ‘Mission Chhaya,’ shade-providing trees will be planted along roadsides and in public spaces to offer relief from the heat.Approximately 2,000 forest department nurseries have raised 52.4 crore saplings this year.Also, 5.5 lakh saplings will be planted on vacant land along all UP expressways, as well as across a 500-hectare area flanking the Ganga expressway.
