UP govt to plant 12.5 crore saplings under the MGNREGA scheme

    Lucknow, Jul 8 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government is set to plant more than 12.5 crore saplings in the state under the MGNREGA scheme following the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
    According to the state government, the aim is not only to enhance greenery but also to generate large-scale rural employment.
    This year's plantation drive will be carried out under the theme 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0', blending ecological responsibility with emotional and cultural sentiment by encouraging people to dedicate a tree to their mothers, it said.
    The highest 42 lakh saplings would be planted in Lakhimpur Kheri, followed by Sonbhadra and Hardoi.
    A total of 1.89 lakh plantation sites have been identified across the state, with plant species selected based on local climatic and geographical conditions. The initiative ensures that plantation efforts are sustainable and tailored to each location.
    In a special move to promote nutrition and health, each beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) will receive two drumstick (Moringa) saplings, known for their medicinal and nutritional value. This effort aims to enhance nutritional security for rural families, the official statement said.
    The success of the campaign will not be measured by plantation numbers alone, but by the survival and growth of the saplings. For this, arrangements for regular watering, tree guards, maintenance, and monitoring will be made under MGNREGA, the statement said.
    As part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign, the state also plans to plant 37 crore saplings in a day on July 9. The drive will be launched by Chief Minister Adityanath from Ayodhya and Azamgarh, the state government said.
    To ensure its success, a record 52.43 crore saplings have been prepared across nurseries and designated sites statewide.
    On the directive of the chief minister, all cabinet ministers will lead plantation drives in their respective districts. Designated nodal officers have already arrived in their assigned districts to review and finalize arrangements in coordination with forest department officials.
    During his visit to Ayodhya and Azamgarh, Adityanath will engage in public dialogue and distribute cheques to seven farmers under the carbon credit initiative.
    Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel will lead the event in Barabanki, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya in Meerut, and another Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak in Lucknow.
    Additionally, all cabinet ministers, ministers of state (independent charge), and ministers of state will participate in the campaign by planting saplings in their respective districts under the theme 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam'.
    Every sapling and plantation site will be geo-tagged for the first time for real-time monitoring of each tree's growth, health, and location with the support of the Forest Department and other institutional partners.
    To ensure the long-term survival of the saplings, the campaign will also deploy T-guards and other modern protective tools aimed at increasing sapling longevity and shielding them from environmental threats.
    A Forest Department official explained that geo-tagging will create a digital record making it easier to track the condition of the plants and take timely action for their care and protection. It will increase transparency and accountability in the campaign.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)