Uttar Pradesh: 5 crore saplings planted in a single day

As many as 50 million tree saplings were planted in a single day in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

Various departments of the provincial government actively participated in the ambitious drive. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who inaugurated the plantation drive in Kanpur, said there was a need to address environmental issues to provide safer environment to the coming generations.

"We all have to take this pledge so that our coming generations get a safe and good environment. Till common people do not participate in the campaign, this pledge cannot be fulfilled. As debates are going on across the globe for saving earth and nature, Samajwadi Party has taken a step forward in this direction. I believe that the government will be successful in its mission. We will plant 50 million saplings," said Yadav.

At the command center to monitor today's world record plantation drive. pic.twitter.com/5dct48isrF

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) July 11, 2016

I want to thank all those who made it happen. Over 5 crore saplings planted in record time. CLEAN UP GREEN UP. pic.twitter.com/C1OJUfviL7

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) July 11, 2016

Around 610,000 saplings were planted in Kanpur alone.

In Moradabad city, around 6,000 saplings were planted in Deer Park and lawns of Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary.

"Presently we are going to deer park for tree plantation which is the main park of Moradabad. Similarly, in all the five districts of Rampur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Bijnor and Amroha, 250, 000 saplings will be planted," said Moradabad regional commissioner, Subhash Chandra.

Saplings of various varieties including fruit-bearing trees and medicinal plants were planted across 6,100 sites in the state.

The plantation drive is an attempt by the state government to set up a world record.

A similar drive was organised by the state in November where one million trees were planted at 10 locations over a span of eight hours, earning the state a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.