Prayagraj: Kaushambi will develop 12 themed forests and plant 1.19 lakh saplings by July 27 under Uttar Pradesh’s Plantation Maha Abhiyan-2026 and the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.The initiative aims not only to increase green cover but also to boost farm incomes, reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote social harmony.The programme is being implemented in phases, with each forest category assigned a specific environmental, economic or social objective. The campaign began last Saturday with the establishment of a “Samriddhi Van” at Osa Gram Sabha, where 7,500 saplings were planted.Divisional forest officer Ajay Pandey said Samriddhi Van would promote agroforestry and provide farmers with additional income opportunities, including through carbon credits. Each such forest will cover at least one hectare and be developed in coordination with the agriculture department.The next phase was completed on Tuesday with the creation of “Kapi Van” in municipal and nagar panchayat areas. Around 1,600 fruit-bearing saplings, including mango, jamun, guava, bael, jackfruit, mulberry, peepal and fig, were planted. The initiative aims to reduce human-monkey conflict by creating additional food sources for monkeys.On July 23, “Urja Van” will be developed in every block with 3,750 fast-growing saplings, including siris, babool, subabul, poplar and kadamb. Implemented with the rural development and panchayati raj departments, the project aims to ensure a sustainable source of firewood.The final phase on July 27 will see the plantation of 15,000 saplings under “Samras Van” at district, tehsil and block headquarters. Public seminars will also be organised to promote social harmony, equality and constitutional values.The district will additionally develop a “Maharshi Charak Van Vatika” with 6,250 saplings and a “Vande Mataram Van” with 150 saplings.Meanwhile, the state govt has introduced “plant bhandaras”, modelled on traditional community feasts, to distribute saplings free of cost among residents. More than 3 lakh saplings had been distributed across UP till July 18.In Prayagraj, over one lakh saplings have been distributed through the Horticultural Experiment and Training Centre at Khusro Bagh.
