Lucknow, December 21: The 'Ped Lagao-Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan,' a campaign led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the past seven and a half years, has yielded remarkable results. According to the ISFR 2023 report, Uttar Pradesh, which planted over 36.80 crore saplings in 2024, recorded an impressive increase of more than 559 sq km in forest and tree cover. This achievement places Uttar Pradesh second only to Chhattisgarh, surpassing all other states in forest cover growth.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the Forest Department officials and employees for their dedicated efforts in this initiative. Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav also lauded Uttar Pradesh for this significant accomplishment, commending the state’s commitment to environmental conservation.
India Forest Status Report (ISFR) 2023 report was presented in Dehradun
India's total forest and tree cover now spans 8,27,357 sq km, which constitutes 25.17% of the country's geographical area. This includes 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) of forest cover and 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%) of tree cover.
There has been an increase of 1,445 sq km in forest and tree cover as compared to the shape-file-based assessment of 2021, which includes an increase of 156 sq km in forest cover and 1289 sq km in tree cover.
Among the top states demonstrating the most significant growth in forest and tree cover, Uttar Pradesh ranks second. Chhattisgarh leads with an increase of 684 sq km, followed by Odisha (558.57 sq km), Rajasthan (394 sq km), and Jharkhand (286.96 sq km).
Increase in these states
State Area
Chhattisgarh- 683.62 sq km
Uttar Pradesh- 559.19 sq km
Odisha - 558.57 sq km
Rajasthan- 394.46 sq km
Jharkhand- 286.96 sq km
New Uttar Pradesh is moving rapidly towards becoming 'Green Uttar Pradesh': CM Yogi
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on his social media account 'X' to celebrate Uttar Pradesh's remarkable achievement in forest and tree cover. He wrote that the state is swiftly progressing towards becoming 'Green Uttar Pradesh.'
According to the ISFR 2023 report, the historic increase of 559 sq km in forest and tree cover is a direct result of the people of Uttar Pradesh responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' and embracing the Indian philosophy of 'Mata Bhoomi: Putrohaam Prithviyah.'
The Chief Minister extended hearty congratulations to all those involved in the plantation campaign, nature enthusiasts, and the people of Uttar Pradesh for this historic accomplishment, which he described as a significant contribution to the welfare of humanity.
More than 36.80 crore saplings planted in UP
Uttar Pradesh has set a new record by planting more than 36.80 crore saplings by September 30, 2024, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This follows the historic achievement of planting 36.51 crore saplings in a single day on July 20, 2024. Over the past seven and a half years, the state has successfully planted 210 crore saplings, marking a significant milestone in its environmental efforts.
On examining the report published by the Indian Forest Survey, Dehradun in the year 2023, the status of forest cover in Uttar Pradesh is as follows...
Forest cover
1. Very dense forest 2,688.73 sq km
2. Medium dense forest 4,001.41 sq km
3. Open forest 8,355.66 sq km
4. Total 15045.80 sq km (6.24%)
5. Tree cover 8950.92 sq km (3.72%)
6. Total forest cover and tree cover: 23996.72 sq km (9.96%)
Data related to Uttar Pradesh in the report published by the Indian Forest Survey, Dehradun in the year 2021 (as revised)...
Forest cover
1. Very dense forest 2655.29 sq km
2. Medium dense forest 3995.53 sq km
3. Open forest 8276.55 sq. km
4. Total 14927.37 sq. km (6.20%)
5- Tree cover 8510.16 sq. km (3.53%)
6- Total forest cover and tree cover 23437.53 sq. km. (9.73%)
Five districts of Uttar Pradesh with the highest growth
1- Jhansi - 8597 acres
2- Amroha - 7769 acres
3- Etawah - 7127 acres
4- Kanpur Nagar - 6249 acres
5- Bijnor - 3343 acres