Grand Celebration of ‘Tree Plantation Mahayagya-2026’ at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University: A Major Step Towards Developing a Green Campus with 8,500 Saplings

Lucknow: A ‘Tree Plantation Mahayagya-2026’ was organised on 12 July under the joint aegis of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Forest Department, Uttar Pradesh, Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), and BBAU at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present on the dais included Dr. Rajeshwar Singh, MLA, Sarojini Nagar, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, Vice-Chancellor of BBAU and Shri Shitanshu Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer, Lucknow. The programme commenced with the presentation of a bouquet and memento to the Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary stated that a clean and safe environment is a fundamental necessity for every individual. He emphasized that environmental conservation is not solely the responsibility of the government but a collective duty of every citizen. He highlighted that the Government has been consistently working towards environmental protection and conservation over the past several years, transforming these efforts into a nationwide people’s movement. Through initiatives such as ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the Swachhata Abhiyan, and several public awareness campaigns, citizens are being encouraged to adopt environmentally responsible and sustainable lifestyles. He urged everyone to actively participate in these initiatives and contribute towards creating a cleaner, greener, and safer environment for future generations.
Dr. Rajeshwar Singh, MLA, Sarojini Nagar, remarked that the Uttar Pradesh Government has achieved remarkable milestones in environmental conservation through large-scale tree plantation drives. He stated that this campaign is not merely about planting trees but represents a commitment by the present generation towards securing a healthier and safer future for the generations to come. He described the initiative as a significant step towards maintaining ecological balance, expanding green cover, and ensuring a clean and healthy environment. He appealed to all citizens to actively participate in the campaign by planting more trees and taking responsibility for their care and maintenance.
Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, Vice-Chancellor of BBAU, expressed his gratitude to all participants for joining the campaign. He said that BBAU’s green campus and rich biodiversity are among its distinctive strengths and that the University continues to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development through various initiatives. He appreciated the Government’s large-scale plantation campaign, describing it as a visionary effort that lays the foundation for a clean, green, and sustainable future. He further informed that every Ph.D. scholar at BBAU is required to plant a sapling at the time of admission and submit a geo-tagged photograph of the same while submitting the thesis. He called upon everyone to plant and protect more trees and transform environmental conservation into a people’s movement.
During the programme, a large-scale plantation drive was carried out in the University’s ‘Samras Van’, with enthusiastic participation from dignitaries, school students, teachers, parents, Forest Department officials and staff, and members of the public. Around 8,500 saplings were planted, including mango, neem, sweet lime, guava, jamun, drumstick, and several other fruit-bearing and flowering species. The plantation drive marked a significant step towards environmental conservation, the development of a greener campus, and ensuring a cleaner and ecologically balanced environment for future generations.
On this occasion, the Hon’ble Union Minister of State visited the photo gallery showcasing various activities related to environmental conservation, tree plantation, and initiatives undertaken by the Forest Department. He appreciated the exhibits displayed in the gallery. He also distributed mango and drumstick saplings to school children and their parents while spreading the message of environmental conservation.
The Hon’ble Union Minister of State also released the coffee table book published by the Awadh Forest Division. Winners of drawing and photography competitions organized in various schools were felicitated and awarded. The programme also featured a captivating dance performance based on Ganesh Vandana presented by school children. NCC cadets and Dr. Ravi Shankar Verma, In-charge, Botanical Garden, played an active role in ensuring the successful execution of the plantation drive.
The event witnessed the presence of Deans of various faculties, Heads of Departments, faculty members, non-teaching staff, research scholars, officials and employees of the Forest Department, parents, and a large number of students from BBAU and various schools.

......................................................................................................... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------