LUCKNOW, June 5: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the state government has planted 242 crore saplings over the last nine years as part of the Van Mahotsav initiative.
Addressing an event organised on the occasion of World Environment Day here, the chief minister said that in 2017, when the BJP government led by him was formed, the “double engine” government had set up a target of planting five crore saplings in the first year.
“I am happy that at that time there were several challenges. There were neither adequate nurseries nor experience of carrying forward such a large programme. However, the Forest Department and other departments of the state government worked together to achieve a big target,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that over the past nine years, the state has succeeded in implementing a large-scale plantation programme under Van Mahotsav, resulting in the planting of 242 crore saplings.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in Mother’s Name) campaign, Adityanath said the initiative, launched three years ago, was a step towards fulfilling responsibilities towards nature and the motherland.
Adityanath said expressing gratitude towards one’s mother and motherland was in line with the message of Lord Ram that “Janani Janmabhoomishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi” (mother and motherland are greater than heaven).
“Gratitude towards the mother and the motherland is the duty of every citizen. Protecting the environment is among our highest responsibilities towards the motherland,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government has taken several steps to address environmental challenges, including global warming, climate change, changing weather patterns and threats to various species.
He also stressed the need to curb the use of single-use plastic and make villages, cities, districts and the state plastic-free.
“Single-use plastic should be discouraged and alternatives such as earthen utensils should be promoted,” he said.
Adityanath said the State Government has established the Mati Kala Board and taken steps such as providing free soil from village ponds to members of the potter community from April to June and distributing solar-powered pottery wheels.
He said these initiatives have been successfully implemented across the state. (PTI)
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