Main Image via USAToday

More than a million Indian citizens took to planting 220 million trees in a government campaign aimed at improving the environment and to battle climate change.

No one took a backseat in this campaign as students, lawmakers, officials and regular joes took to planting dozens of species of saplings along roads, rail tracks and in forest lands in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

The target of 220 million saplings planted was achieved, and 16 different fruit species is speculated to increase forest cover in the state.

India had previously taken a pledge to keep one-thirds of its land area covered in tress. However, its 1.3 billion populace and rapid industrialization is hampering its efforts.

According to the state’s Chief Minister, the number 220 million was set as the target, as the state’s populace amounted to 220 million people!


Although the long-term survival of the trees raises a concern as only 60% of the saplings are expected to make it, the effort by India is definitely commendable, especially following the recent Amazon forest fires.

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Source: USAToday