CM Yogi sets 35-crore plantation target for UP on July 12
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh announced on 12 July 2026 that the state aims to plant over 35 crore saplings in a single day. CM Yogi Adityanath cited international bodies, the Forest Research Institute, and satellite mapping as evidence of rising forest cover in UP, framing the drive under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh announced a target of planting more than 35 crore (350 million) saplings on 12 July 2026 .
CM Yogi Adityanath cited international organisations, the Forest Research Institute , and satellite mapping as sources confirming increased forest cover in the state.
The drive is part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ('One Tree in Mother's Name') campaign, encouraging citizens to dedicate a sapling to their mothers.
Uttar Pradesh has held annual mega plantation drives since 2017 , aligning with India's National Forest Policy target of 33 per cent green cover.
The verified outcome will be assessed against India's Paris Agreement commitment to expand carbon sinks by 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 .
An independent audit through the next India State of Forest Report will provide satellite-corroborated data on the drive's long-term impact.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh announced on Sunday, 12 July 2026 that the state has set a target of planting more than 35 crore (350 million) saplings in a single day, citing consistent gains in forest cover confirmed by international bodies, the Forest Research Institute, and satellite mapping data.
Context
Quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the post states: 'Aaj koi bhi international sanstha ho ya Forest Research Institute ke sarvekshan athwa satellite mapping se prapt images — sabhi mein yeh spasht dikhai deta hai ki Uttar Pradesh ka vanachchhadan badha hai' — ('Today, whether it is any international organisation, the Forest Research Institute's surveys, or images obtained from satellite mapping — all of them clearly show that forest cover in Uttar Pradesh has increased.')
The Chief Minister added that while the 35-crore plantation target is ambitious, it is 'not difficult for a state like Uttar Pradesh.' The drive is being conducted under the hashtag campaign #EkPedMaaKeNaam ('One Tree in Mother's Name'), alongside #PragatiBhiPrakritiBhi and #GoGreen_UP.
Policy Backdrop
Uttar Pradesh has conducted annual mega plantation drives since 2017, aligned with Van Mahotsav traditions and successive state green missions. The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign encourages citizens to dedicate a sapling to their mothers, giving the drive a social and emotional dimension beyond its environmental targets.
India's National Forest Policy sets a long-term goal of bringing 33 per cent of the country's geographical area under forest and tree cover. The country has also committed under the Paris Agreement to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030. State-level drives such as this one are central to meeting those commitments.
The Forest Research Institute (FRI), headquartered in Dehradun, conducts research and survey work that feeds into national forest assessments. Satellite-based monitoring by the Forest Survey of India has become a standard tool for tracking changes in green cover across states, providing independent verification of ground-level plantation efforts.
Stakeholders and Impact
The plantation drive directly engages Uttar Pradesh's state forest department, district administrations, and rural communities who participate in the ground-level planting activity. As India's most populous state, UP has a large agricultural and peri-urban landscape where tree cover gains can have measurable effects on local microclimate, soil health, and groundwater recharge.
Citizens are encouraged to plant saplings and share participation under the #EkPedMaaKeNaam banner, broadening the campaign into a public movement rather than a purely administrative exercise. Environmental groups and international climate observers tracking India's afforestation commitments will watch the verified outcome of the 35-crore target closely.
What's Next
The immediate measure of success will be the verified sapling count at the end of 12 July 2026, with the state forest department expected to release official figures. The next India State of Forest Report, published periodically by the Forest Survey of India, will offer an independent, satellite-corroborated assessment of whether today's drive contributes to a sustained increase in Uttar Pradesh's recorded tree and forest cover.
If the target is met, it would mark one of the largest single-day plantation events in the state's history and could serve as a benchmark for other states pursuing similar green-cover expansion goals under India's climate commitments.
Point of View
Data-backed achievement — invoking satellite imagery and international assessments to lend scientific credibility to what is also a high-visibility public mobilisation event. The 35-crore target, whether or not fully verified post-drive, serves dual political and policy purposes: it advances UP's positioning within India's climate commitments while generating grassroots participation through the emotionally resonant Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam branding. The broader arc points to states competing on green-cover metrics as a new axis of governance performance, with independent forest surveys becoming the ultimate arbiter of credibility.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UP plantation target on 12 July 2026?
Uttar Pradesh has set a target of planting more than 35 crore (350 million) saplings in a single day on 12 July 2026, announced by the Chief Minister's Office.
What is the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign?
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ('One Tree in Mother's Name') is a Uttar Pradesh plantation campaign that encourages citizens to plant and dedicate a sapling to their mothers, combining environmental goals with a personal, emotional appeal.
Has Uttar Pradesh's forest cover actually increased?
CM Yogi Adityanath stated that international organisations, the Forest Research Institute's surveys, and satellite mapping images all indicate that forest cover in Uttar Pradesh has grown, though independent verification will come from the next India State of Forest Report.
What is the Forest Research Institute and why is it relevant?
The Forest Research Institute (FRI), based in Dehradun, is a premier national institution that conducts forest surveys and research. Its assessments are used alongside satellite data to track changes in green cover across Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh.
How does UP's plantation drive connect to India's climate goals?
India's National Forest Policy targets 33 per cent forest and tree cover nationally, and the country has committed under the Paris Agreement to add 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent carbon sinks by 2030. State-level drives like UP's contribute directly to meeting these targets.
