From saplings to tigers: How Uttar Pradesh is leading India’s environmental revival

Uttar Pradesh is setting a national benchmark in environmental restoration, proving that rapid development and ecological conservation can go hand in hand.

The scale of this transformation is best seen in the numbers. Between 2017-18 and 2023-24, Uttar Pradesh recorded its highest-ever forest expansion. In the nine years before 2017, only 65.27 crore saplings were planted. Since 2017, that number has jumped to a staggering 242.13 crore saplings.

According to the State of Forest Report 2023, the state’s forest and tree cover increased by 3 lakh 38 thousand acres during this period. The total forest area grew from 1,658 thousand hectares in 2016-17 to 1,772 thousand hectares by 2023-24.

Wildlife conservation

Uttar Pradesh’s efforts extend beyond tree planting to building a robust ecosystem for wildlife. The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve received the international TX2 Award for doubling its tiger population.

On October 19, 2022, the Ranipur Tiger Reserve in Chitrakoot, covering approximately 53,000 hectares, was notified as the state’s fourth tiger reserve.

The state also leads in river ecosystem health, recording 2,397 dolphins—the highest number in the country—out of India’s total of 6,327.

In 2024, the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre was established in Gorakhpur, the country’s first dedicated center for the Red-headed Vulture.

Technology and public participation

The success of Uttar Pradesh’s “Harit” initiatives is rooted in a combination of public engagement and modern technology. Campaigns like “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A tree in the name of one’s mother) have transformed afforestation into a widespread public movement.

Plantation targets for 2025-26 were projected to be six times higher than in 2016-17.

Advanced tools such as GIS mapping, satellite monitoring, and mobile app-based tracking help ensure the survival of saplings and evaluate the impact of forestation in real-time.

Planting is guided by scientific planning, considering soil suitability, local biodiversity, and species-specific requirements to ensure sustainable growth.

Impact on India’s green cover

Uttar Pradesh’s share of India’s total forest area has grown from 2.16% in 2015-16 to 2.25% in 2022-23. While national forest area has seen slight declines in some reports, Uttar Pradesh continues to defy the trend, proving that the “Green Uttar Pradesh” vision is no longer just a concept but a tangible reality.

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