CM Yogi Adityanath Urges Mass Tree Plantation to Boost Carbon Credit Income and Green Cover in Uttar Pradesh
In a major push towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday called upon public representatives across the state to motivate farmers to take up large-scale tree plantation along the perimeters of their agricultural lands.
He highlighted that doing so would not only support environmental conservation but also enable farmers to benefit financially through the carbon credit system.
Speaking to gram pradhans (village heads), mayors, district panchayat chairpersons, and other elected officials via video conferencing, the Chief Minister emphasized the dual advantages of increasing the state’s green cover and creating an income stream for farmers under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in Mother’s Name) campaign, which commenced on Saturday.
Farmers to Earn Carbon Credit for Tree Plantation
CM Yogi noted that as part of the carbon credit scheme, farmers in seven key divisions—Devipatan, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Mirzapur, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Aligarh—are expected to earn approximately Rs 42.20 lakh this year alone.
This marks a significant rise from last year’s figure of Rs 32.80 lakh paid out to farmers for their participation in eco-friendly plantation activities.
Under the carbon credit framework, farmers who plant and maintain trees are compensated for the amount of carbon their trees offset. “After the completion of necessary surveys, each participating farmer receives approximately $5 (USD) as carbon credit,” Yogi Adityanath explained.
He encouraged greater awareness and adoption of this mechanism among rural communities, especially those dependent on agriculture.
Record-Breaking Plantation Drive Set for July 9
The state government has set an ambitious target to plant 37 crore saplings in a single day on July 9, which, if achieved, will mark a record-breaking environmental event not only in India but potentially on a global scale.
The month-long “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, which launched this weekend, seeks to transform tree plantation into a people’s movement driven by emotion, duty, and the legacy of honoring one’s mother through a living tribute.
CM Yogi called upon all public representatives to lead from the front, encouraging their constituents to actively participate in the drive and take ownership of their environment. “Let this campaign not be limited to symbolism.
Let it become a mass movement, a mission to safeguard the future of our children,” he said.
Health and Nutrition Tied to Green Initiatives
In a strategic integration of environmental and public health policies, the state government is also distributing moringa (sahjan) saplings to malnourished families under the campaign. Moringa, known for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, is expected to improve dietary health while contributing to green cover expansion.
Green Cover Growth Under the Yogi Government
Reflecting on his government’s track record since 2017, CM Yogi stated that Uttar Pradesh has witnessed significant growth in forest and green cover.
“In the past eight years, our state has increased its green cover from 9 percent to 10 percent, a substantial achievement for a state with one of the highest population densities in India,” he said.
From 2017 to 2024, Uttar Pradesh added approximately 5 lakh acres to its green cover, with 3.38 lakh acres added between 2017 and 2023 alone. This has helped UP climb to the second position nationally in terms of forest and green area expansion.
Targeted Locations and Community Involvement
