Drive to Cover Schools, Riverbanks, RoadsidesVaranasi: The district will witness one of its biggest green drives on Sunday as authorities launch a mega plantation campaign across the district, aiming to plant 15.49 lakh saplings at thousands of locations with the participation of govt departments, educational institutions and the public. The initiative forms part of the state’s annual Vriksharopan Mahayagya.Under the campaign, plantation will be carried out on gram sabha land, school campuses, industrial areas, riverbanks, the banks of Amrit Sarovars and along roadsides. The district has been assigned an overall target of 18.41 lakh saplings this year. Of this, 2.92 lakh saplings were planted on World Environment Day (June 5), while the remaining 15.49 lakh, comprising timber, fruit-bearing and medicinal species, will be planted during Sunday’s drive.To ensure the smooth, systematic and impactful implementation of Vriksharopan Mahayagya-2026, a review meeting was held at the Circuit House on Friday under the chairmanship of Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Stamp and Court Fee Registration, Ravindra Jaiswal.The minister reviewed department-wise preparations and directed officials to complete all assigned tasks in a time-bound and coordinated manner. He said the plantation drive should not be viewed merely as a government programme but as a people’s movement aimed at environmental conservation, climate balance and securing the future of coming generations.The meeting reviewed preparations related to the identification of plantation sites, pit digging, availability and quality of saplings, transportation, irrigation, protection of planted saplings, geo-tagging, department-wise targets, nodal officers’ responsibilities and overall implementation of the campaign. Jaiswal directed officials to complete all arrangements at plantation sites well in advance to ensure the programme is conducted smoothly.Emphasising that planting trees alone is not enough, he said their protection and regular maintenance are equally important. He instructed every department to put in place proper security, watering and monitoring mechanisms to maximise the survival rate of the saplings.The minister also asked officials to identify at least one suitable location or crossing in every ward where saplings could be distributed free of cost to encourage greater public participation. Considering the cultural significance of paan in Banaras, he suggested distributing betel leaf and catechu saplings as well. He also called for the plantation of mulberry, arjun, chironji and mahua trees.He further suggested undertaking dense plantation along major roads leading to the district headquarters and on road medians. Officials were also directed to identify suitable locations within the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor for planting bel trees.Appealing to the people of Kashi, Jaiswal said a large quantity of wood is required for a person’s last rites, resulting in the felling of many trees and causing environmental damage. He urged people to plant enough trees during their lifetime so they do not leave behind a debt to nature.He also directed that large-scale plantation be carried out in industrial areas, upcoming townships, along roadsides, at bus stops and other public places. In schools, he asked officials to organise essay, painting, music and singing competitions to raise awareness among children about the importance of tree plantation.District magistrate Satyendra Kumar directed all departmental heads to ensure maximum participation of schools, gram panchayats, self-help groups, voluntary organisations, public representatives and citizens. He instructed officials to organise sapling distribution camps in all gram panchayats for villagers and farmers, and appealed to every citizen to plant at least one sapling and pledge to nurture it.
