“Uttar Pradesh aims to plant 1 crore trees in 2025 under its Green Mission, boosting the state’s forest cover to combat climate change. The initiative spans all 75 districts, involving government departments, local communities, and digital tracking for transparency. This follows a record-breaking 37 crore saplings planted in 2024, with a focus on riverbanks and heritage tree preservation.”
UP’s Green Push: Planting 1 Crore Trees in 2025
Uttar Pradesh is set to launch an ambitious phase of its Green Mission in 2025, targeting the plantation of 1 crore trees across all 75 districts to enhance the state’s forest and tree cover. This follows the state’s remarkable achievement in 2024, when 37 crore saplings were planted in a single day, surpassing the previous year’s target by 2 crore. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR)-2023, Uttar Pradesh’s forest and tree cover has risen to 9.96% of its geographical area, ranking the state second in India for green cover growth. Between 2017 and 2024, over 204.92 crore saplings were planted, expanding the green cover by more than 3 lakh acres.
The 2025 initiative, led by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, will focus on afforestation along critical river systems, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Ken, and Betwa. Over 3.5 crore seedlings are planned for planting within a 5-kilometer radius of these rivers to reduce soil erosion, improve groundwater recharge, and ensure smoother river flow. The Yamuna will see the highest plantation with 9,678,330 saplings, followed by the Ganga with 5,480,994. The mission also emphasizes native species like Banyan, Peepal, Neem, and Mango, alongside rare trees such as Adansonia and Pilu, under the Heritage Tree Adoption Scheme, which has preserved 948 century-old trees across the state.
The forest department has prepared 9,000 sites for the 2025 drive, with 26 other departments coordinating efforts at over 1.5 lakh locations. In Lucknow alone, 78 spots have been earmarked. Each hectare will host approximately 1,600 seedlings, ensuring dense and sustainable plantation. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority will contribute by planting 250,000 trees along state highways and the Bundelkhand Expressway. Community participation is a cornerstone of the mission, with citizens encouraged to plant saplings and log their efforts digitally for monitoring and transparency.
Arun Kumar Saxena, Uttar Pradesh’s Minister for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, emphasized the mission’s role in combating pollution and climate change. “Our efforts have significantly increased the state’s green cover, and the 2025 target of 1 crore trees will further strengthen our commitment to a sustainable future,” he said. The initiative aligns with India’s broader climate goals, including the Green India Mission’s target to create a carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2030. Uttar Pradesh’s focus on ecological restoration also addresses land degradation, with nearly one-third of India’s land—97.85 million hectares—reported as degraded in 2018-19 by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The mission incorporates digital tools for real-time monitoring, with a mobile app tracking nursery activities and plant growth. District-level committees, involving local communities, NGOs, and schools, will ensure the survival and nurturing of saplings. The Heritage Tree Adoption Scheme has gained traction, with districts like Varanasi (99 heritage trees), Prayagraj (53), and Hardoi (37) leading preservation efforts. The state’s afforestation model is being hailed as a blueprint for other regions, combining scientific planning with public engagement to create a greener, healthier Uttar Pradesh.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, official statements from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, and data from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR)-2023. Information has been sourced from credible news outlets and government releases, including Business Standard. The data reflects the latest available updates as of September 2025. Always verify with official sources for real-time developments.