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| Table of Content |
| Vision and Strategic Objectives Key Policy Interventions (The “4-P” Approach) Conservation & Eco-Tourism Current Affairs Linkages |
Trend: Shift from “Timber Production” to “Climate Resilience,” “Carbon Neutrality,” and “Green Cover Expansion.”
A. Green Cover Targets
- Target 15%: The policy aims to increase the state’s total green cover (Forest + Tree Cover) from the current 9.23% to 15% by 2026-27.
- ISFR 2023 Data (Released Dec 2024): Uttar Pradesh recorded the second-highest increase in forest and tree cover (559 sq km) in India, validating the policy’s efficacy.
B. Climate Change Mitigation
- Carbon Sequestration: Focus on planting broad-leaved species (Peepal, Banyan, Pakad) to create long-term carbon sinks.
- Water Security:
- Catchment Treatment: Mandatory afforestation in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions to recharge groundwater and arrest soil erosion.
- River Rejuvenation: Plantation along the banks of Ganga and its tributaries (Ganga Van).
Trend: “Public-Private Partnership” and “People’s Participation.”
A. Agro-Forestry & Carbon Credits (The Economic Pillar)
- Carbon Finance Policy (2024):
- Concept: UP is the first state to link farmers with the Global Carbon Credit Market.
- Mechanism: Farmers planting trees on their boundaries (Medh Par Ped) earn “Carbon Credits,” which are sold to industries (Polluters) via The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
- Incentive: Farmers receive ₹200 Crore+ annually from carbon trading, making forestry a cash crop.
- Quality Planting Material: Establishment of Hi-Tech Nurseries to provide high-yield clones of Poplar and Eucalyptus.
B. Social & Urban Forestry (Nagar Van)
- Urban Lungs: Development of “Nandan Van” and “Nagar Van” in every municipal corporation to combat the Urban Heat Island effect.
- Miyawaki Forests: Adoption of the Japanese technique to create dense micro-forests in congested cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ghaziabad.
- Ayush Van: Plantation of medicinal trees in every district to promote traditional wellness.
Trend: “Experience-based Tourism” and “Wildlife Integration.”
A. Eco-Tourism Circuits
- Night Safari: Development of India’s first Night Safari in Kukrail (Lucknow), relocating the existing zoo to create a naturalistic habitat.
- Tiger Reserves: Strengthening buffer zones in Ranipur (Chitrakoot), Pilibhit, and Dudhwa to reduce man-animal conflict.
B. Heritage Forestry
- Heritage Trees: Identification and protection of trees older than 100 years as “Heritage Trees” (Virasat Vriksha).
- Sacred Groves: Revival of “Dev Vans” in rural areas to conserve local biodiversity through religious sanctity.
A. “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign (2024)
- Mass Movement: In July 2024, UP set a world record by planting over 36.50 Crore saplings in a single day under this campaign.
- Emotional Connect: Citizens were encouraged to plant trees in honor of their mothers, ensuring higher survival rates due to emotional attachment.
B. Green Credit Program (GCP)
- Central Alignment: UP actively adopted the Centre’s Green Credit Program (2024), allowing industries to undertake afforestation on degraded forest land (e.g., in Sonbhadra) to earn credits for environmental compliance.
C. Forest Conservation Amendment Act (Impact)
- Border Districts: The 2023 amendment facilitates faster clearance for strategic infrastructure in border districts (e.g., Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri) while mandating Compensatory Afforestation in non-forest land.
