Uttar Pradesh Tree Plantation Milestone under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
Source:ani-news ↗
Why It Matters
The UPPSC PCS Prelims frequently asks questions about state-specific afforestation targets, actual tree plantation milestones, and environmental conservation campaigns. Understanding UP's mega-plantation drives is crucial for questions on regional geography, ecology, and state governance policies aimed at increasing forest cover.
Summary
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has successfully achieved the milestone of planting 40 crore saplings under the 'Vriksharopan Mahayagya-2026' (Maha Vriksharopan 2026) initiative. The campaign, launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur, is a major part of the nationwide 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' afforestation program initiated by PM Narendra Modi. Though the state initially targeted 35 crore plantings, it successfully reached 40 crore saplings, promoting environmental conservation and climate resilience by encouraging the public to plant trees in honor of their mothers and link plantings to family celebrations.
Key Points
- Uttar Pradesh successfully planted 40 crore saplings under the state's 'Vriksharopan Mahayagya-2026' campaign, achieving a major milestone in environmental conservation.
- The campaign is aligned with the national 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The plantation drive was formally launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on July 12, 2026, in Gorakhpur, with an initial goal of planting 35 crore trees, which was quickly exceeded.
- Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak participated in the plantation drive at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University in Lucknow.
- The drive aims to raise public participation in climate action and afforestation by linking tree planting to personal milestones, family celebrations, and festivals.
- Such initiatives are critical to helping Uttar Pradesh achieve its long-term environmental policy target of increasing its forest and tree cover to 15% of the state's total geographical area by 2030.
Important Terms
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign
A nationwide citizen-driven afforestation initiative launched on World Environment Day 2024 by PM Narendra Modi, encouraging citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers to promote climate action and sustainable development.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper III (Environment); tests understanding of community-driven environmental conservation and climate mitigation strategies.
Vriksharopan Mahayagya-2026
A massive state-level annual afforestation drive organized by the Uttar Pradesh government in July 2026, which successfully planted over 40 crore saplings across the state through widespread public participation.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper III (Environment) and State PSCs; tests knowledge of regional afforestation and public participation models.
Maha Vriksharopan 2026
The alternative designation for Uttar Pradesh's July 2026 mega plantation drive, aiming to plant millions of trees in a single day to expand green cover and sequester carbon dioxide.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper III (Environment) and State PSCs; tests understanding of grassroots environmental initiatives and ecological sustainability.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University
A state medical university established in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which served as a prominent venue for the 2026 state-wide afforestation campaign led by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
UPSC context
Relevant for State PCS exams; tests familiarity with educational infrastructure and state-led public initiatives in Uttar Pradesh.
Government of Uttar Pradesh
The subnational governing authority of India's most populous state, responsible for implementing regional development policies, massive environmental drives like Vriksharopan Mahayagya, and executing central welfare schemes.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper II (Polity and Governance); tests understanding of federalism, state-level administration, and policy implementation.
Prelims Trap
The National Forest Policy mandates that every individual state in India must achieve a minimum of 33% forest cover.
The 33% target is a national average goal; individual states set their own realistic targets (like UP's 15% by 2030) based on geographical and demographic constraints.
Static Concepts Connected
How does the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) define Forest Cover vs Tree Cover?
- Forest Cover: Refers to all land parcels greater than 1 hectare with a canopy density of more than 10 percent, irrespective of ownership.
- Tree Cover: Comprises tree patches outside recorded forest areas that are less than 1 hectare in size, including isolated trees.
- Biennial Assessment: Published every two years by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Afforestation vs Tribal Land Rights
Massive state plantation drives can conflict with the Forest Rights Act (2006) if community forest lands are modified without Gram Sabha consent.
CAMPA financing and biodiversity loss
State drives like UP's are often financed by CAMPA, testing the balance between commercial monoculture and native ecological restoration.
ISFR classification criteria, CAMPA funding norms, and national afforestation targets like GIM remain high-yield areas for 2026 Prelims.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2025UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, which of the following districts in Uttar Pradesh had forest over more than 20% of their total area? 1. Bahraich 2. Chandaili 3. Shravasti Select the correct answer from the code given below:
- 2004UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Presently total forest cover in Uttar Pradesh is only.
