Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 24 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state government plans to plant 52 crore saplings this year as part of a large-scale afforestation effort. He also highlighted that over the past eight years, the government has planted 204 crore trees, with more than 75 per cent survival rate.

‘This year we are going to plant 52 crore saplings... In the last 8 years, we have planted 204 crore trees, and over 75% of them are alive,’ the Chief Minister said at an event after launching the state-wide mega plantation campaign.

He further stated that a survey by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has confirmed an increase in forest cover across five lakh acres in Uttar Pradesh.

‘The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has sent its survey report that says the forest cover in Uttar Pradesh—and the institutions designated as third-party verifiers by the state—have confirmed that forest cover has increased over an area of five lakh acres. This means we have moved from heatwave to green wave, and in the future, we will be able to contribute to saving the planet,’ he added.

As part of the campaign, the Chief Minister planted saplings at Rampur Halwara village on Dashrath Path in Ayodhya and took a selfie under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.

The Chief Minister began his visit to Ayodhya with prayers at the sacred Hanumangarhi temple, seeking peace and prosperity for the state. He performed traditional rituals and circumambulated the temple complex to review the progress of the Ram Mandir construction, later offering prayers at the Ram Darbar.

Following this, he visited the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Lalla, where he performed aarti and circumambulated the temple premises. Officials from the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust briefed him on the current status and upcoming phases of the temple construction project, according to an official release.

Upon arrival at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, CM Yogi was welcomed by local public representatives and officials. This marked his first visit to Ayodhya in July. His previous visit was on June 5 for the inauguration of the Ram Darbar.

(ANI)