CM Yogi joins 35-crore sapling drive 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in a maulshri sapling plantation on 12 July 2026 under Uttar Pradesh's 35-crore 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' mega-campaign, continuing the state's tradition of large-scale monsoon afforestation drives.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath personally participated in the maulshri sapling plantation event on 12 July 2026 .
The drive is part of the 35-crore sapling mega-campaign titled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' ('One Tree in Mother's Name').
Uttar Pradesh previously set a single-day record of planting more than 22 crore trees in 2019 .
The campaign combines environmental targets with a public participation model, encouraging citizens to dedicate saplings to their mothers.
Post-monsoon survival audits will be the key measure of the campaign's real-world impact on UP 's green cover.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in a maulshri sapling plantation programme on Sunday, 12 July 2026, as part of the 35-crore sapling mega-campaign titled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' ('One Tree in Mother's Name'), according to a live update posted by the Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh.
Context
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh shared the update live, showing CM Yogi Adityanath planting a maulshri sapling — a flowering tree known for its fragrance and longevity — under the campaign's banner. The event was broadcast live, signalling the government's intent to publicly demonstrate its commitment to the drive. The campaign's name, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', encourages citizens across Uttar Pradesh to dedicate a tree to their mothers, blending environmental action with an emotional public appeal.
Policy Backdrop
Mass plantation drives have been a recurring feature of Uttar Pradesh's environmental governance. In 2019, the state set a record by planting more than 22 crore trees in a single day under a state-led campaign. The current 35-crore sapling target represents a significant scaling-up of that ambition, reflecting both the state government's push to expand green cover and its alignment with national afforestation and climate commitments. CM Yogi Adityanath, who has been in office since 2017, has overseen multiple such large-scale afforestation initiatives during his tenure.
The choice of the monsoon season — typically July — for plantation drives is deliberate: rainfall improves sapling survival rates, making the season the most effective window for such campaigns. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign taps into this seasonal opportunity while also mobilising public participation through its personal, family-oriented message.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of the campaign are residents of Uttar Pradesh, who stand to gain from improved air quality, shade cover, and biodiversity if the planted saplings survive to maturity. Local forestry department staff and community volunteers are central to executing the ground-level plantation work across the state's 75 districts. The campaign also carries symbolic weight: by associating tree-planting with maternal respect, it aims to deepen community ownership of saplings beyond the event itself, which has historically been a challenge in mass plantation drives.
What's Next
The critical test for the 35-crore sapling mega-campaign will come in the months following the monsoon, when post-plantation survival audits typically assess how many saplings have taken root. Uttar Pradesh's forestry officials are expected to monitor and report on sapling health into the next fiscal year. Whether the campaign extends beyond this single drive — with follow-up plantation rounds or community maintenance programmes — will determine its long-term impact on the state's green cover and its contribution to India's broader climate and afforestation goals.
Point of View
CM Yogi Adityanath reinforces his image as a hands-on administrator while keeping the state's environmental credentials in public view. The campaign's true test, however, lies not in the planting event but in the survival rates that forestry audits will reveal months later — a metric that has historically been the weak link in India's mass plantation drives. Whether UP can demonstrate measurable improvement in green cover will determine if this initiative marks a genuine environmental milestone or remains primarily a mobilisation exercise.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign in Uttar Pradesh?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' ('One Tree in Mother's Name') is a statewide tree plantation campaign in Uttar Pradesh that encourages citizens to plant and dedicate a sapling to their mother, combining environmental goals with a personal emotional appeal.
How many trees is Uttar Pradesh planning to plant under this campaign?
The current campaign has set a target of planting 35 crore saplings across Uttar Pradesh, scaling up the state's previous record of more than 22 crore trees planted in a single day in 2019.
What is a maulshri tree and why was it chosen?
Maulshri (Mimusops elengi) is a flowering tree native to the Indian subcontinent, valued for its fragrant blossoms, dense shade, and long lifespan, making it a meaningful and ecologically suitable choice for a plantation dedicated to mothers.
When did CM Yogi Adityanath participate in the plantation event?
CM Yogi Adityanath participated in the maulshri sapling plantation programme on Sunday, 12 July 2026 , during the monsoon season, which is the most effective period for sapling survival.
How will the success of UP's tree plantation drive be measured?
Success is typically measured through post-monsoon survival audits conducted by the state's forestry department, which assess how many of the planted saplings have taken root and are growing — a metric that has historically been the most challenging aspect of mass plantation drives in India.
