The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its green initiatives, planting over 242 crore saplings in nine years and significantly increasing forest cover across the state.

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• The Uttar Pradesh government has planted more than 242 crore saplings in the past nine years as part of an ambitious plan to transform the state into a greener and more environmentally sustainable region.
•  According to official data, the massive plantation drive has increased the state’s forest cover by 559.19 square kilometres, as recorded in the India State of Forest Report 2023.
•  In a major record, 37.21 crore saplings were planted across Uttar Pradesh in a single day on July 9 last year during an extensive statewide plantation campaign.
•  For the year 2026, the state government has set a target to plant more than 35 crore saplings through coordinated plantation drives during the upcoming monsoon season.
•  In Varanasi’s Sujabad Domri area, residents participated in a Mega Plantation Drive and planted 2,51,446 saplings within just one hour, reflecting strong public involvement.
•  The Forest Department has launched the ‘Green Chaupal’ initiative, organizing environmental awareness meetings in more than 15,000 villages to encourage community participation in conservation efforts.
•  A special initiative recognized 18,348 children born between July 1 and 7, 2025, awarding their families Green Gold Certificates along with timber, fruit and moringa saplings.
•  The state government has proposed significant funding in the latest budget, including Rs 800 crore for Social Forestry, Rs 220 crore for nursery management and Rs 189 crore for afforestation schemes.