Be vigilant against Mafias damaging nature: Chief Minister

CM says: Some are stealing taps, some are wasting water, such people should be stopped

Chief Minister inaugurates seminar on the challenges of climate change

CM Yogi administers five pledges to the people of the state on World Environment Day

We will plant 35 crore saplings in a single day in July: CM Yogi

Lucknow, June 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to citizens to remain vigilant against land mafia, forest mafia, mining mafia, and smugglers who harm nature and water resources. He said, “Responsible citizens must fulfil their duties toward the motherland.” On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Chief Minister also administered five pledges to the people of the state. These included planting “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, protecting trees from miscreants and animals, conserving water, avoiding the use of single-use plastic, and adopting a lifestyle in harmony with nature.

Taking a swipe at irresponsible behaviour, the CM remarked that some people steal taps while others waste water, and such individuals should be stopped. He urged people to make water conservation a part of their daily lives and ensure that water is not wasted.

On Friday, CM Yogi inaugurated a seminar titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Me Jalwayu Parivartan Ki Chunautiyo Ka Samadhaan’ at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. He visited an exhibition, distributed chocolates to children, and handed cloth bags to members of the public to promote environmental conservation. The Chief Minister also took selfies with children and offered water to a ceremonial tree urn.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “If there is water, there is a future, and if there are forests, there is life. The entire cycle of life is interconnected. Yet, humanity has neglected these resources the most.”

He stated, anyone above the age of 40 can clearly feel the price the world is paying for environmental degradation. Compared to 25 years ago, there is now a shift of nearly one to one-and-a-half months in weather cycles. Since India and Uttar Pradesh have agriculture-based economies, farmers are the most affected by changes in weather patterns. Their income suffers, they face excessive rainfall or drought, and food security can come under threat. Unseasonal disasters are also warning signs.

CM Yogi also informed, “India’s ancestors and sages had long cautioned humanity about environmental responsibilities. Indians consider themselves children of Mother Earth. Shri Ram’s words to Lakshman after the victory over Lanka, ‘Api swarnamayi Lanka na me Lakshmana rochate, janani janmabhumishcha swargadapi gariyasi’. Which means even though Lanka was made of gold, Shri Ram said it did not appeal to him because one’s mother and motherland are greater than heaven itself. Expressing gratitude and fulfilling duties toward the mother who gave birth to us and the land where we were born is our responsibility.”

According to the Chief Minister, Shri Ram’s message remains relevant for every Indian even today.

Chief Minister also explained, “Material achievements are temporary and meaningful only as long as a person remains healthy. To address environmental challenges, people should study India’s traditional texts. Indian culture has always emphasized the relationship between humans and every living being. Lord Shiva wears a serpent around his neck and rides Nandi. Kartikeya rides a peacock, Lord Ganesha rides a mouse, and Goddess Durga rides a lion. Bulls have been worshipped throughout history, and the cow has been revered as the foundation of an agrarian economy. Snakes have traditionally been regarded as friends of farmers. All elements of life are interconnected.”

Referring to the rich natural environment of the Kukrail forest area, CM Yogi stated, temperatures there are noticeably lower than in Lucknow city. While Lucknow may record 45 degrees Celsius, Kukrail may remain at 40 degrees or even lower. He added that staying close to nature is essential for good health. The government removed illegal encroachments from Kukrail, and today the area is home to one of Lucknow’s most beautiful natural landscapes, ‘Saumitra Van’.

Referring to the World Environment Day 2026 theme, ‘Inspired by Nature for Climate for Our Future,’ the Chief Minister said that clean air, pure water, fertile land, and green forests are the lifelines of human civilization. Humanity can remain safe only when nature remains safe.

He noted that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, water connections and submersible pumps have reached households, but in earlier times digging a well was considered a sacred act. He recalled the traditional saying that one stepwell equals ten wells, one pond equals ten stepwells, one son equals ten ponds, and one tree equals ten sons, highlighting the supreme importance of trees.

CM Yogi informed, “Three years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. Inspired by him, Uttar Pradesh has carried forward an extensive plantation drive over the past 9 years. To address global challenges, the Prime Minister also gave the world the message of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ in line with the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Responding to his call, people across India are participating in the plantation campaign and standing with nature while fulfilling their responsibilities toward their mother and motherland.”

He recalled that in March 2017, the Forest Department’s nurseries had barely 5 lakh saplings available for plantation. Today, government and private nurseries together have prepared 55 crore saplings. He said that under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, 5 crore saplings are being planted across the state today. In July, a mega plantation drive will be organized, during which 35 crore saplings will be planted in a single day with public participation.

CM Yogi described global warming, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity as major challenges. Greenhouse gases and harmful particles are entering the environment and affecting human lungs. Harmful substances are mixing into the atmosphere, causing environmental damage and altering rainfall patterns. As a result, some areas face drought while others experience floods.

He stated, “Uttar Pradesh is among the richest states in terms of water resources. Numerous important sites exist in the state, and they must be identified and freed from encroachments. Nine years ago, the state had only one Ramsar site; today that number has increased to thirteen.”

He noted that Surha Tal in Ballia, the sacred birthplace of great freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan, who raised the call against the Emergency, has now been recognized as the state’s 13th Ramsar site.

The Chief Minister also recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur in 2021, he suggested to officials that the adjacent Chilua Tal should be conserved to ensure a reliable water source. The entire wetland was subsequently protected. Today, water from Chilua Tal supplies the fertilizer plant, township, Sainik School campus, and SSB headquarters.

He said that when he visited the lake 3 days ago at around 5 p.m., the temperature in Gorakhpur city was 45 degrees Celsius, but near the lake it felt below 35 degrees.

Emphasizing wetland conservation, the Chief Minister informed, the government has protected Ramgarh Tal, spread across about 1,400 acres, and Chilua Tal, spread across approximately 400-500 acres in Gorakhpur. These are natural water bodies.

He also praised village heads who contributed to the identification, notification, and development of wetlands and Ramsar sites in their Gram Panchayats. Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Shravasti, CM said that while the region was once neglected, today Gulra (Ken Nala) has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

The Chief Minister informed, “Gram Pradhan, chairpersons of urban local bodies, and mayors have a responsibility to protect and revive ponds, wells, and stepwells. These water bodies should be integrated into Gram Panchayat and municipal development plans, as they form the foundation of water conservation.”

He also highlighted the importance of Amrit Sarovars and stressed that river catchment areas must remain free from encroachments.

CM Yogi said, Uttar Pradesh has built the highest number of expressways, expanded four-lane and six-lane road networks, and developed extensive infrastructure. Despite this rapid development, the state has successfully increased its forest cover. More than 242 crore saplings have been planted across Uttar Pradesh over the last 9 years.

The event was attended by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forests Dr Arun Kumar Saxena, Minister of State for Forests KP Malik, Principal Secretary (Forest) V. Hekali Zhimomi, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board Chairman R.P. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Department Sunil Chaudhary, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri, and other senior officials.