Varanasi Division to plant over 1.85cr saplings this yr

Varanasi: The UP govt has set a target to plant more than 1.85 crore saplings this year under Vriksharopan Abhiyan-2026.During the drive, large-scale plantation will be carried out in the four districts of Varanasi division—Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur and Chandauli— with public participation.The highest plantation target under this campaign, aimed at promoting environmental conservation and green development, has been set for Chandauli district, where more than 70 lakh saplings will be planted. Meanwhile, more than 52 lakh saplings are planned for Jaunpur, over 47 lakh for Ghazipur, and over 15.51 lakh for Varanasi.According to the forest conservator of Varanasi circle, Ravi Kumar Singh, the campaign will begin in the first week of July. Priority will be given to saplings that aid environmental conservation, oxygen availability and strengthening of biodiversity. Under this, large-scale plantation of trees like Sahjan, Peepal, Pakad, Banyan, Arjun, Jamun, Amla, Guava, Mango, Teak and Shisham will be carried out.He said that this campaign will not be limited to merely planting saplings, but will also serve as a medium to promote environmental awareness and social participation. The govt believes that tree plantation is not just an administrative responsibility but also a matter of social concern. For this reason, 28 departments have been included in this campaign to ensure plantation and conservation at every level.“This mega campaign proposed under Van Mahotsav is not only an effort to increase the green cover of the state, but also an initiative to make people responsible towards nature conservation. With the joint participation of the govt and society, this campaign will lay a strong foundation for environmental conservation in the times to come,” said Singh.