Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath voiced grave concerns on Saturday about escalating environmental and ecological challenges, emphasizing the Uttar Pradesh government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.
Speaking at the Green India Summit, the Chief Minister warned of the alarming pollution levels in Delhi, describing it as a “gas chamber.” He expressed particular concern for the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, noting the judiciary’s active role in addressing the crisis.
Highlighting the impacts of climate change, CM Yogi pointed to shifting monsoon patterns. “Earlier, the monsoon lasted from June 15 to August 15. Now, it extends from August 15 to October 15,” he said, explaining how these changes disrupt traditional sowing and harvesting cycles, creating significant challenges for farmers. Uneven rainfall, with some areas experiencing floods and others drought, further exacerbates the problem.
He attributed many environmental issues to unplanned development and harmful human habits, including water pollution. The CM noted that contaminated water is causing an increase in diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Yogi Adityanath criticized unscientific industrial practices, such as dumping waste into rivers, for creating ecological disasters. He also drew attention to the overuse of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture, citing the infamous "Cancer Train," named for its high number of cancer patients caused by chemical-intensive farming practices.
The Chief Minister shared progress on the state government’s initiatives to combat environmental degradation. Since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has installed over 16 lakh LED streetlights, reducing carbon emissions by 9.4 lakh tons and saving Rs 968 crore in energy costs. He encouraged citizens to adopt solar energy through the PM Suryaghar Yojana, allowing individuals to generate and sell surplus power, promoting renewable energy use.
Reforestation has been another area of focus. Since 2017, the state has planted 204 crore trees, increasing forest cover to 10%. The government aims to expand this to 15% in the next three years, alongside developing a 23,000-hectare land bank for renewable energy projects.
Addressing pollution from stubble burning and traditional cooking methods, CM Yogi praised the Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided free LPG connections to 10 crore families since 2016. He explained that traditional cooking fuels are as harmful as inhaling smoke from 100 cigarettes daily.
The Chief Minister also spotlighted Eastern Uttar Pradesh’s sanitation revolution. Between 1977 and 2017, encephalitis caused the deaths of 50,000 children in 38 districts due to contaminated water and open defecation. Improved sanitation and clean water initiatives have eradicated the disease in the region within just two years.
Yogi Adityanath called for collective efforts from governments, institutions, and citizens to protect the environment. He urged experts to focus on research and innovation in environmental conservation and lauded the Green India Summit as a significant step toward fostering awareness and action.
