Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 2 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Kumar Saxena on Wednesday announced a month-long campaign to protect forests and animals from the ongoing heatwave, following directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The initiative aims to safeguard wildlife and preserve the state's forest cover.

The Forest Minister stated that senior officials from Lucknow will conduct regular patrols to prevent illegal tree cutting and animal poaching.

‘As per the instructions of CM Yogi Adityanath, we are running a month-long campaign for the safety of forests and animals in our state, in which patrolling will be done at various places. Our top officials from Lucknow will also go on patrol and see that there is no illegal cutting of forests, no poaching of animals,’ Saxena said.

He added that boreholes would be drilled in areas facing water shortages to ensure animals have access to drinking water. Food provisions will also be arranged to help wildlife cope with the extreme heat.

‘We will also see that there is no problem of water where the animals live. Where there is a shortage of water, boreholes will be made. Their food will be seen so that the animals do not have any kind of problem. We have many animals in zoos; special arrangements are being made for them in summer,’ he said.

The campaign is aligned with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) guidelines. These guidelines focus on compensatory afforestation in place of diverted forest land, quantifying environmental services, and rejuvenating degraded ecosystems in catchment areas.

On April 5, Etawah District Magistrate Avinash Rai also outlined a series of heatwave mitigation measures. These include coordination with municipalities, nagar panchayats, and the Disaster Management Department to ensure water availability, spray water, and fill reservoirs.

‘By cooperating with all our municipalities, nagar panchayats, gram panchayats and the Disaster Management Department, we will make all efforts of mitigation like spraying water, ensuring water supply in case of shortage, and filling water in reservoirs. If someone suffers a heat stroke, then arrangements are being made in all our hospitals for treatment,’ he said.

‘I appeal to the people to make every effort to protect themselves. We are making efforts to ensure that there is no loss of life during the heat wave,’ the Etawah DM added.

Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) ruled out El Niño conditions for the upcoming monsoon but warned of an exceptionally hot summer. The forecast indicates above-normal temperatures and an increased number of heatwave days across several parts of the country from April to June 2025.

(ANI)