UP Govt Launches Plantation Mahabhiyan-2025 To Plant 4.12 Crore Saplings Along 13 Major Rivers

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched its ambitious Plantation Mahabhiyan-2025, setting a target to plant 4.12 crore saplings along the banks of 13 major rivers across the state. The campaign will span 24,271.66 hectares within 5 km of these rivers, with species selected according to riverine ecosystem suitability.

This year's initiative builds on the previous year’s plantation of 3.72 crore saplings. According to Mission Director Deepak Kumar, the 2025 drive will include Triveni saplings—considered religiously significant—around Mahakumbh zones in an effort to align environmental goals with cultural sentiments.

Technical teams from the Forest Department are conducting soil and moisture profile assessments at plantation sites to ensure ecological compatibility and improve sapling survival rates. The department aims to reach an 85% survival rate in 2025, up from the 78% reported last year.

However, ecologists have emphasized the importance of robust post-plantation maintenance, pointing out that nearly 22% of saplings planted in 2024 were lost within six months. The primary causes were inadequate irrigation, livestock grazing, and lack of physical protection measures.

In response, the state has earmarked ₹18 crore specifically for the upkeep and monitoring of saplings through 2026. This includes protective fencing, regular watering schedules, and dedicated ground staff for each plantation zone. Officials maintain that the campaign is not just about numbers but long-term ecological recovery and climate resilience. With improved monitoring and strategic planning, the government hopes to make this green push more sustainable than previous efforts.