Jhansi: Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday called upon people to actively participate in the state’s mega plantation drive by planting and nurturing at least one tree in their mother’s name, saying the campaign was crucial to combating global warming and ensuring a greener future for coming generations.Launching the statewide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation campaign at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College campus in Jhansi, Maurya, along with public representatives, officials and members of self-help groups, planted saplings and appealed to people to ensure their survival. Congratulating the district administration for its target of planting 10.3 million saplings in a single day, he stressed that the plantation drive would be meaningful only if every sapling was protected and nurtured.Addressing beneficiaries of various govt welfare schemes, members of self-help groups and officials after the plantation programme, Maurya said the state was creating history by planting 350 million saplings across Uttar Pradesh under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath. He said that by noon, nearly 170 million saplings had already been planted across the state.Describing global warming as one of the biggest challenges facing the world, Maurya said indiscriminate felling of trees over the years had aggravated the environmental crisis. He urged people to treat newly planted saplings like their own children, saying they required regular care, watering and protection to survive. “The benefits of the trees being planted today will not be enjoyed by us alone but by future generations,” he said.The Deputy Chief Minister appealed to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and other welfare schemes to plant at least one drumstick (moringa) tree in their mother’s name and take responsibility for its upkeep.He also encouraged farmers to undertake boundary plantation around their fields to improve environmental sustainability while enhancing farm protection and income.Calling the plantation programme a “Maha Abhiyan” and a “Maha Yagya”, Maurya said the campaign had begun from Jhansi, regarded as the capital of Bundelkhand. “After today’s drive, the total number of saplings planted in Uttar Pradesh since the BJP came to power in 2017 under Yogi Adityanath will reach 27.5 billion, including 350 million planted during the current campaign,” he said. He urged every resident of the state to plant one tree in their mother’s name and ensure its survival.Maurya also congratulated the people of Bundelkhand on the approval of a new expressway for the region and said the double-engine govt was committed to accelerating the region’s development.He claimed that, unlike previous govts, the present dispensation was simultaneously promoting infrastructure development, environmental conservation and employment generation in Bundelkhand.He also urged farmers to avail themselves of the PM Surya Ghar scheme to reduce electricity expenses by operating tube wells through solar power.During the programme, cheques worth Rs 1.65 crore were distributed to 110 self-help groups under various livelihood schemes, while revolving fund assistance of Rs 83.1 lakh was provided to 277 self-help groups. Keys to houses under the PM and CM housing schemes were handed over to five beneficiaries, nine women associated with self-help groups were honoured for their outstanding work, and three gram pradhans were felicitated for exemplary performance.Later, reviewing development works with district officials at the Circuit House, Maurya directed departments to prioritise the buy of cattle feed manufactured by women-led self-help groups to enhance their income.He also instructed officials to undertake intensive plantation at Amrit Vatikas and Amrit Sarovars, promote the installation of solar panels for women engaged in food processing activities to reduce production costs, ensure quality in rural road construction, and maximise coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, with special priority for persons with disabilities.
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