U.P. sees second-highest forest cover increase in country

Uttar Pradesh ranked second among states where the forest and tree cover have gone up, as per India State of Forest Report (ISFR)-2023 released by Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav in Dehradun on Saturday.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW:

U.P. recorded an increase in forest and tree cover by 559.19 sq km or 1,38,179 acres, which is 0.23% of the total geographical area of the state or more than the Indore city area. First on the list is Chhattisgarh (683.62 sq km). This was the 18th such report and is published once every two years.

U.P. is followed by Odisha with 558.57 sq km increase in its forest and tree cover. Rajasthan (394.46 sq km) and Jharkhand (286.96 sq km) are next in order.

Acknowledging the state's achievement, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on X: "New Uttar Pradesh is moving fast to become Green Uttar Pradesh. According to ISFR-2023, Uttar Pradesh recorded a historic rise of 559 sq km forest and tree cover, which is result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and the association of people with the "earth is our mother and we are her children" spirit. Congratulations to all the people associated with the plantation drive."