Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is actively preserving the state’s natural heritage by nurturing 948 century-old trees under the Heritage Tree Adoption Scheme. These heritage trees, spanning 28 species and spread across all 75 districts, have been recognized for their ecological, cultural, and historical significance.

Kashi leads with 99 heritage trees

Kashi leads with 99 heritage trees, followed by Prayagraj (53), Hardoi (37), Ghazipur (35), and Unnao (34). The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to honouring and conserving the state’s biodiversity, particularly trees associated with religious traditions, historical events, and legendary personalities.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued detailed guidelines for identifying and documenting such trees, which the Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board has implemented by recognizing trees located on community lands and non-forest areas.

The list includes revered species like the Banyan (363 trees), Peepal (422 trees), Mango, Arjun, Shami, and Neem, as well as rare trees such as Adansonia and Pilu.

Some of the Iconic trees

Some iconic trees include the mother trees of Dussehri mango (Lucknow) and Langra mango (Varanasi), the famous Bachan Tamarind of Fatehpur, the Bodhi tree of Sarnath, Peepal associated with the freedom struggle at Shahjahanpur’s Ordnance Cloth Factory, Akshayvat tree inside Prayagraj Fort, Pilu tree in Ter Kadamba (Mathura), and Banyan trees in Gorakhnath temple (Gorakhpur), Janaki Kund (Chitrakoot), and Valmiki Ashram (Unnao).

The state is also involving the public in this campaign by raising awareness, encouraging community participation, and fostering emotional bonds with these trees. By linking heritage trees with local identity and eco-tourism, the Yogi government aims to promote biodiversity conservation and a sustainable environment for future generations.