Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that the ‘Ek Vriksha Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ tree plantation campaign-2025 is a powerful medium to express gratitude to our mother earth. He said that today the state is moving fast on the path of development and in line with the aspirations of the general public and the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving forward with the resolve to preserve our cultural heritage and protect the environment and forest area. Referring to the Vedic slogan ‘Mata Bhumi: Putro Aham Bhumi: “the Chief Minister said that this land is not just a land for us but is like an emotionally connected mother. If Mother Earth remains healthy, humanity will also remain healthy.
CM Yogi was addressing the gathering after planting the 60 lakhth sapling of Harishankari tree under the ‘Ek Vridh Maa Ke Na-Ma 2.0’ campaign at Gram Panchayat Kerma in Azamgarh district. On the occasion, he distributed sahjan saplings to beneficiaries under ‘Zero Poverty Campaign “and’ School Chalo Abhiyan” and also took selfies by planting saplings himself.
CM Yogi informed that in the last eight years, 204 crore saplings have been planted in Uttar Pradesh, which are aimed at solving problems like climate change, excessive rainfall and drought. He informed that the government has taken effective steps through tree plantation to prevent environmental imbalance caused by illegal felling and mining, and now the forest cover of the state has increased from 9% to 10%.
Describing the campaign as a revolutionary effort towards’ ‘, the Chief Minister said that this year, 52 crore saplings will be planted in the state, including medicinal, fruit-bearing and shade trees including Harishankari (Peepal, Pakad, Banyan). Also, nutritious plants like Sahajan will help fight malnutrition. 15 lakh poor families will be provided sahjan sapling.
CM Yogi said that the double engine government gives priority to development. Districts like Azamgarh have now come into the mainstream of development, where expressways, universities and other infrastructure are fast emerging. At the same time, strict action is also being taken against criminal and anarchic elements.
Referring to the cleanliness and health campaigns launched by the Prime Minister,CM Yogi said that efforts such as toilet construction, Har Ghar Nal, and Ujjwala Yojana have helped in keeping Mother Earth safe. He said that the use of LPG in place of coal and kerosene not only reduces pollution but also paves the way for a safer future for the future generations.
The plantation of medicinal plants on the Green Field Expressway, the carbon credit scheme of $6 per plant to farmers, and the participation of every section of the society is giving a new dimension to this campaign. The plantation of 60 lakh saplings in Azamgarh alone is a proof of this.
CM Yogi informed that the work of restoration of the historic Tamsa river has been started with the cooperation of public representatives and the administration, which will ensure the protection of the environment as well as cultural heritage. He appealed to all the people of the state to join the ‘Ek Tree Maa Ke Naam’ scheme.
A short film on cleaning and plantation of Tamsa river was also presented on the occasion. Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State for Environment and Forests K. P. Malik, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.