CM Yogi to kickstart ‘Ped Lagao Ped Bachao Abhiyan 2024’ from Akbarnagar, Lucknow.

Lucknow : In a significant move to revive the Kukrail river, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the ‘Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan-2024’ on Saturday by planting saplings in the Akbarnagar area of Lucknow, which has recently been cleared of unauthorized encroachments.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, this ambitious campaign aims to set a record by planting over 36.50 crore saplings in a single day.

Following the directives of CM Yogi, all ministers-in-charge and public representatives will spearhead this campaign in their respective districts. This initiative will see participation from the general public, as well as employees of government offices, schools, and other institutions, dedicating half a day to the effort.

On Thursday, the CM addressed Mayors, District Panchayat Presidents, Village Heads, Chairmen, Block Heads, Area Panchayat members, and other public representatives, urging them to turn tree planting into a mass movement and achieve the goal of environmental protection through public participation. The Chief Minister highlighted that over the past seven years, more than 168 crore saplings have been planted in the state, out of which 75-80 percent are still safe.

*Campaign to run in all 18 divisions*

Under the campaign, a target has been set to plant trees in all 18 divisions. The Lucknow division will have the highest number of plantings, with more than 4.0173 crore trees. Kanpur will plant 2.96 crore, Chitrakoot 2.89 crore, Jhansi 2.82 crore, Mirzapur 2.62 crore, Ayodhya 2.39 crore, Devipatan 2.14 crore, Prayagraj 2.07 crore, Bareilly 1.91 crore, Varanasi 1.76 crore, Moradabad 1.83 crore, Agra 1.68 crore, Gorakhpur 1.65 crore, Azamgarh 1.30 crore, Aligarh 1.22 crore, Meerut 1.16 crore, Basti 1.11 crore, and Saharanpur division will plant 90.23 lakh saplings. The planting sites will be geo-tagged.

Similarly, department-wise targets have also been set for plantation. This includes 14.29 crores to Forest, Environment and Climate Change, 13 crores to Rural Development Department, 2.80 crores to Agriculture, 1.55 crores to Horticulture Department, 1.27 crores to Panchayati Raj, 1.05 crores to Revenue, 44.97 lakhs to Urban Development, 22.54 lakhs to Higher Education, 14.19 lakhs to Sericulture, 14.93 lakhs to Public Works, 12.66 lakhs to Railways, 13.41 lakhs to Water Power, 15.43 lakhs to Basic Education, 19.91 lakhs to Health Department, 15.55 lakhs to MSME, 7.73 lakhs to Industrial Development Department, 11.63 lakhs to Secondary Education Department, 10 lakhs to Home, 7.26 lakhs to Animal Husbandry, 5.60 lakhs to Energy, 7.60 lakhs to Cooperation, 8.38 lakhs to Housing Development, 4.95 lakhs to Defence, 8.06 lakhs to Technical Education, 2.69 lakhs to Labor and 2.53 lakhs to Transport Department.

*Make tree plantation a mass movement: CM*

The Chief Minister has instructed that tree planting should be done with full enthusiasm and excitement and should be transformed into a mass movement. He asked to provide the beneficiaries of the PM/CM Awas Yojana with drumstick saplings to plant. Trees can be planted along roadsides and dividers. They can also be planted at appropriate places on the banks of rivers. 

He further mentioned that various types of saplings should be planted, including shade trees, fruit trees, timber trees, and medicinal plants. He also asked to plant trees near rivers and Amrit Sarovars. Plant species like Peepal, Pakad, Jamun, Mango, Neem, Gutel, Banyan, Harsingar, Maulshree, Chitvan, and Arjun. Create gardens in memory of ancestors, great personalities, freedom fighters, and martyrs. Install tree guards with the plants. Ensure that each plant is cared for by someone and specify how it will be done. Take selfies with the plants and upload them on social media platforms.