Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the ‘Best Governed State’ and a ‘Green State’, setting new benchmarks in good governance, environmental conservation and law and order. Over the past eight years, the Yogi Adityanath government has planted over 204 crore saplings, significantly enriching the state’s forest cover.
According to the Indian Forest Status Report 2023, Uttar Pradesh recorded a remarkable increase of 559.19 square kilometres in forest cover. As part of the ‘Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao Jan Abhiyan-2024’, the state set a new record by planting 36.80 crore saplings. The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department also played a key role in achieving this milestone.
Additionally, the government has taken significant steps to increase employment opportunities. Thousands of youth were appointed in the Forest Department through a transparent recruitment process. For the first time, farmers in Uttar Pradesh benefited financially from carbon credits, boosting their income.
In another major initiative, the Yogi government launched air services from Lucknow to Palia on November 25, 2024, enhancing connectivity and boosting eco-tourism. The state has also seen a rise in the population of cranes, indicating a thriving ecosystem.
Uttar Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone in dolphin conservation. As per the seventh meeting of the National Wildlife Board, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP recorded the highest number of river dolphins in the country. Out of 6,327 dolphins found across 28 rivers in eight states, Uttar Pradesh led with 2,397 dolphins, far ahead of other states. Recognising its ecological significance, the Yogi government declared the Ganges Dolphin as the state aquatic animal on October 17, 2023.
More than 204 crore saplings have been planted in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of the Yogi government, marking a significant achievement in environmental conservation. Last year, the state set a new record by planting 36.80 crore saplings. According to the India Forest Status Report 2023, Uttar Pradesh’s forest cover has increased by 559.19 square kilometres, positioning it ahead of all states except Chhattisgarh vis-à-vis afforestation efforts.
The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department provided government jobs to more than 2,500 youth in the past eight years. Recently, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed appointment letters to 647 forest guards and wildlife guards on September 10 and 701 forest inspectors on November 22 last year.
To promote eco-tourism in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Dudhwa National Park, an air service from Lucknow to Palia was launched on November 25, 2024.
On September 6, 2024, Chief Minister Yogi inaugurated Asia’s first newly-built Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in Campierganj, Gorakhpur. A total of six king vultures (three male and three female) have been brought to the centre as part of the conservation efforts.
Additionally, ‘Wetland Conservation Forest’ has been developed in the catchment areas of 223 significant wetlands to enhance ecological preservation.
A total of 948 heritage tree gardens have been developed across the state. Additionally, various thematic forests, including Mitra Forest, Miyawaki Forest, Saumitra Forest, Shakti Forest, Ayush Forest, Panchvati, and Navgrah Garden, have been established. Under the 'Pavitra Dhara Vriksharopan' scheme, approximately 3.72 crore saplings were planted in the catchment areas of major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, Hindon, and Gomti.
On July 20, 2024, the Chief Minister initiated the payment of carbon credits for trees on private farmland. Uttar Pradesh became the first state in India to implement carbon credit payments for privately owned trees.
According to the Summer Census 2024, the population of the state bird, the Sarus crane, has risen to 19,994. This marks a steady increase from 19,522 in 2023 and 19,188 in 2022, reflecting the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
The Yogi government has consistently increased plantation efforts over the years: 5.72 crore in 2017-18, 11.77 crore in 2018-19, 22.60 crore in 2019-20, 25.87 crore in 2020-21, 30.53 crore in 2021-22, 35.49 crore in 2022-23, 36.16 crore in 2023-24 and 36.80 crore in 2024-25.
