
Plantation efforts transform barren lands
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Kanpur: Once marked by dry, lifeless stretches of land, several areas across Kanpur are now lush with greenery, thanks to sustained and large-scale plantation drives undertaken by the district administration and active participation of local residents in the recent past.
According to officials, the transformation is not the result of any single effort, but a collective mission in which people from all walks of life—from village farmers to urban schoolchildren—participated with enthusiasm. Saplings were planted not only as an act of environmental responsibility but also as emotional gestures. Some planted trees in the names of daughters or in memory of elders, aiming to leave behind a living legacy, while others planted it for the future generations.
The visible outcome of these drives is now taking the form of natural green belts that are beginning to influence the city's microclimate, increase bird populations, and boost the area's natural biodiversity.
In 2021, a major plantation drive was carried out over 40 hectares of the Domanpur forest block in Sarsaul, where native species like Arjun, Kanji, Arru, Acacia Auriculariformis, and Neem were planted. Local villagers took ownership of the drive by not only planting but also maintaining the saplings.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Officials from the Forest Department confirmed that 95.69% of the planted trees have survived, forming a dense forest patch that is already impacting local air and soil quality.
In the same year, a Miyawaki forest was established on one hectare of land inside the National Sugar Institute (NSI) campus. More than 35,000 saplings of native and fruit-bearing trees—including Jamun, Mango, Mahua, Tamarind, Sheesham, Neem, and medicinal plants like Tulsi and Adhatoda—were planted.
The high-density forest has become a green lung in the heart of the city, offering residents a quiet refuge and encouraging children to connect with nature.
In 2024, a new afforestation initiative was taken up on 50 hectares of barren land at the Naveli Power Plant complex in Ghatampur. Despite the challenging terrain and infertile soil, over 1.25 lakh saplings were planted, with special attention given to species such as Babul, Arru, Kanji, and Siras.
With regular maintenance and the right choice of species, the area now reports a survival rate of over 97%, making it one of the most successful plantation models in the district.
Continuing the momentum, the district administration is preparing for another massive plantation drive on July 9. District magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh has urged every citizen to plant a tree in the name of their mother. The main event will be held in Allen Forest, where saplings will be planted using the Miyawaki technique. The programme will be chaired by Rakesh Sachan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt of Uttar Pradesh.
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