Kanpur district set a new plantation record on Thursday by planting 5.75 lakh saplings in a single day to mark World Environment Day 2026. The mega drive was led by the district administration, forest department, and Kanpur Municipal Corporation, as part of Uttar Pradesh's state target of 35 crore saplings this year.
Main Event at Babu Purwa Green Belt
The main event took place at Babu Purwa Green Belt, where over 1,000 medicinal, fruit-bearing, and shady trees were planted. State Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyaya, MP Ramesh Awasthi, and MLAs Surendra Maithani and Neelima Katiyar joined officials, volunteers, and members of Namami Gange, Ganga Task Force, and Tree Plantation Committee in the drive.
Campaigns in Ghatampur and Bilhaur
Large-scale campaigns were also held in Ghatampur and Bilhaur constituencies under MLAs Saroj Kuril and Rahul Bachcha Sonkar. Public rallies spread awareness on conservation across villages and towns.
Preparations and Citizen Participation
Officials stated that 45 lakh high-quality saplings have been prepared in government nurseries across Kanpur Nagar to meet the district's target. Citizens later planted saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and pledged to nurture them.
Other Initiatives Across the City
Elsewhere in the city, the Kanpur Bar Association held a plantation drive on its premises. At CSJM University, the Department of Environmental Science and NSS Visvesvaraya Unit-4 hosted an expert lecture on 'Climate Action'. Vice Chancellor Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak led a campus drive through the Innovation Foundation. Yug Bharati also planted eight saplings at its Shiv Shakti Natural Oxygen Bank in Rambagh Geeta Park.
Speakers emphasized that trees are vital for carbon absorption and for securing the future of coming generations.
