Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Project Launched; State Receives Major Environmental Initiatives on World Environment Day

Lucknow, June 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on World Environment Day announced a series of major environmental initiatives for the state, including the launch of India’s first air-shed based clean air project supported by the World Bank.

The event, held at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, marked the formal launch of the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Project, a ₹2,741 crore initiative developed in collaboration with the World Bank. The project is aimed at improving air quality through a regional air-shed approach, making it the first of its kind in India.

During the programme, senior officials including Asia Region Practice Manager at the World Bank, N. Janet Glover, and CEO of UP CAMP, B. Chandrakala, formally exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of the Chief Minister.

Major Environmental Announcements

CM Yogi Adityanath also launched the statewide “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in Mother’s Name) mega plantation campaign by pressing a symbolic button. He unveiled the logo and official website of UP CAMP and also released a short documentary showcasing its objectives and activities.

He further launched the Wetland Portal and a compilation related to the notification of 100 wetlands in Uttar Pradesh. As part of the state’s ambitious target of planting 3.5 billion trees, the Chief Minister also unveiled the logo for the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Plantation Campaign 2026”.

Additionally, he introduced the mascot of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board. On this occasion, it was also announced that Gulara (Ken Nala) in Shravasti will be developed as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

Surha Tal Becomes 100th Ramsar Site in India

A major highlight of the event was the recognition of Surha Tal in Ballia district as a Ramsar Site. With this, it has become the 100th Ramsar site in India and the 13th in Uttar Pradesh.

Forest Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena formally presented the Ramsar certificate to the Chief Minister on stage. CM Yogi also released a booklet and dossier on Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh.

Recognition for Students and Competitions

Winners of the UP CAMP logo design competition were also felicitated. The competition saw participation from over 2,000 students from 100 schools, along with professionals and designers.

The winners included:

• First Prize: Mahi Raza (Class 7, Lalitpur) – ₹50,000
• Second Prize: Sumbul Fatima (Class 5, Kannauj) – ₹25,000
• Third Prize: Shraddha (Class 10, Mirzapur) – ₹10,000

Winners of a painting competition organised by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board were also honoured:

• First Prize: Ajay Kumar Dubey (Divyang student) – ₹25,000
• Second Prize: Srishti Shukla – ₹15,000
• Third Prize: Sudhakar (Divyang student) – ₹10,000

Gram Pradhans Felicitated

On the occasion, 100 village heads (Gram Pradhans) who contributed to wetland notification efforts were recognised. CM Yogi personally honoured six of them on stage, including:

• Rajkishor Verma (Barabanki)
• Mantu Singh (Chitrakoot)
• Mansharam (Ayodhya)
• Sushil Kumar Singh (Barabanki)
• Harendra Singh (Farrukhabad)
• Anita Devi (Chandauli)

The Chief Minister emphasised that these initiatives reflect Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to environmental protection, climate action, and community participation in ecological conservation.