Uttar Pradesh launches massive afforestation drive for green cover
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
UPPSC frequently focuses on UP-specific environmental targets, forest cover ranks, new institutes (like the upcoming Forestry University), and clean energy initiatives (such as Ayodhya being the first solar city). This article is highly relevant for both Environment and UP GK sections of the Prelims exam.
Summary
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a massive environmental drive under the 'Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam' campaign to plant 35 crore saplings in a single day. The CM highlighted Uttar Pradesh's second-place ranking in India for green cover expansion (as per the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun), and announced plans for a new Forestry University in Gorakhpur. Additionally, the event showcased UP's clean energy achievements, including developing Ayodhya as the state's first solar city, promoting the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, implementing the Carbon Credit Finance Scheme for tree-planting farmers, and completing large-scale transitions to LED street lighting.
Key Points
- Uttar Pradesh launched a mega-plantation drive under the 'Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam' campaign with a target of planting 35 crore saplings in a single day on July 12, 2026.
- According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun report, Uttar Pradesh ranks second in India in terms of the increase in greenery and forest cover.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the upcoming construction of a dedicated Forestry University in Gorakhpur.
- Under the state's Carbon Credit Finance Scheme, farmers who plant trees on their private agricultural fields receive financial incentives and benefits.
- Ayodhya has been designated and developed as Uttar Pradesh's first solar city, with streetlights and government buildings powered by locally generated solar power.
- The Chief Minister symbolically planted 'Triveni' saplings (which represent a sacred triad of Neem, Peepal, and Banyan trees) near the Bhagwanpur Toll Plaza on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.
- Since 2017, the UP government has replaced traditional halogen streetlights with LED lights, saving Rs 100 crore and substantially cutting carbon emissions.
- Over 2 crore families in Uttar Pradesh have received free cooking gas connections under the PM Ujjwala Yojana, which has a national footprint of 10 crore connections.
Important Terms
Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam Campaign
A nationwide afforestation drive launched in 2024 to encourage citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers, aiming to increase India's green cover, reverse land degradation, and build drought resilience.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment); tests understanding of community-led conservation and national greening policies.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
A central government scheme launched in February 2024 to provide up to 300 units of free monthly electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar installations, funded by subsidies and concessional loans.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Infrastructure & Renewable Energy); tests knowledge of decentralized clean energy policies and solar power adoption.
Carbon Credit Finance Scheme
An innovative agroforestry initiative by Uttar Pradesh linking tree-planting farmers with global carbon markets, notably offering advance partial payments to motivate agricultural communities to grow and conserve trees on their land.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Agroforestry & Carbon Markets); tests knowledge of market-based environmental solutions and climate financing for farmers.
Forest Survey of India (FSI)
A premier national organization under the MoEFCC, established in 1981 in Dehradun, responsible for conducting periodic forest surveys, inventories, and publishing the biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment & Forests); tests knowledge of national ecological assessment bodies and forest-cover measurement tools.
PM Ujjwala Yojana
A social welfare scheme launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide deposit-free LPG connections to poor women, aimed at reducing indoor air pollution and protecting health.
UPSC context
GS Paper II & III (Welfare Schemes & Energy Access); tests knowledge of gender-inclusive energy policies and public health interventions.
Prelims Trap
Uttar Pradesh has the second-largest total forest cover area in India as per the Forest Survey of India report.
UP ranks second in the *increase* (expansion) of green cover, not in total forest cover area or percentage, where MP and Mizoram lead respectively.
Static Concepts Connected
How does the Forest Survey of India (FSI) classify forest cover and tree cover?
- Forest Cover: Lands greater than 1 hectare with canopy density above 10%, regardless of ownership, legal status, or land use.
- Tree Cover: Tree patches outside recorded forests (TOF) that are less than 1 hectare in size, assessed via sampling.
- Canopy Classes: Divided into Very Dense (>70% canopy), Moderately Dense (40-70%), and Open Forest (10-40%).
What are the core pillars of India's agroforestry governance?
- National Policy: India was the first country to adopt a comprehensive National Agroforestry Policy in 2014 to integrate forestry with farming.
- Har Medh Par Pedh: A dedicated sub-mission encouraging farmers to plant trees on farm boundaries to boost green cover and secure alternate income.
- Carbon Integration: Enables farmers to generate carbon offsets through voluntary/compliance markets, incentivizing tree maintenance on private agricultural lands.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Agroforestry + Carbon Credit monetization
Transitioning farmers from traditional agriculture to carbon-credit-yielding agroforestry creates a sustainable, decentralized model for climate finance and rural income diversification.
Cultural ecology + State afforestation
Planting culturally revered triads like 'Triveni' (Peepal, Banyan, Neem) leverages traditional conservation values to ensure higher community protection and survival rates.
FSI forest classifications, carbon-credit incentives for farmers, and national agroforestry policies are likely to be integrated in 2026.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2004UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Presently total forest cover in Uttar Pradesh is only.
- 2017UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List-I (City): (A) Forest (B) Indian (C) Central Arid (D) Indian List-II (Institute): 1. Jodhpur Research Institute 2. New Delhi Grassland and Fodder Research Institute 3. Dehradun Zone Research Institute 4. Jhansi Agricultural Research Institute
- 2021UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
- 2019UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
The First Union Territory of India to run 100 percent on solar energy is
