Yogi government gears up to organize Van Mahotsav from July 1

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 30 (ANI): The Yogi government is set to organize the Van Mahotsav from July 1 to July 7. The event aims at preserving heritage trees and raising public awareness to encourage them to join the plantation campaign.
As a part of the event, school children will be made aware of the environment through many competitions including Prabhatpheri and Nukkad Natak.
Given the recent intense heatwave, the state government is again placing renewed emphasis on environmental conservation and rainwater harvesting. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also urged the people of the state to plant and protect at least one or two fruit trees.
In the first week of July in the state, public awareness programs will be held as part of the Van Mahotsav. Under this, prabhat pheri, nukkad natak, art, essays, debates, and seminars will be organized at the school level.
At the same time, emphasis will be on campaigns on environmental protection, afforestation, tree planting, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and ending the use of cleanliness-plastic.
During the Van Mahtosav, the department will also focus on promoting the propagation of heritage tree gardens. Along with this, plantation in the catchment area of wetlands and on the river banks will be held for the conservation and revival of rivers, in addition to plantation in urban areas.
In each district, there will be several programs including public awareness at the grand level. At the same time, as per the directives of the Central Government, a tree will also be planted in the name of the mother (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign).
CM Yogi has urged the public to plant at least one or two fruit trees in their yards during the upcoming rainy season as part of Van Mahotsav. He emphasized planting as many saplings as possible across the state and ensuring their proper irrigation and care.
In addition to Van Mahotsav, the Yogi government aims to plant 35 crore saplings this year as well to maintain Uttar Pradesh's green cover. Departments and divisions have already set their targets, with the Forest and Environment Department planning to plant 14 crore saplings and the Rural Development Department aiming for 12.59 crore saplings statewide. The Lucknow division has been assigned the highest target of planting 4 crore saplings. (ANI)