Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh government is going to plant 52 crore saplings this year, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday, adding that over the past eight years, the government has planted 204 crore trees and over 75% of them are alive.

'This year we are going to plant 52 crore saplings... In the last 8 years, we have planted 204 crore trees, and over 75% of them are alive,' CM Yogi said at an event after launching the state-wide mega plantation campaign.

He further shared that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's survey report confirms an increase in forest cover across 5 lakh acres in Uttar Pradesh.

'Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has sent its survey report that says the forest cover in Uttar Pradesh and the institutions that were declared as third party by the state, have also verified that forest cover increased in a 5 lakh acre area. This means we have moved from heatwave to green-wave, and in the future, we will be able to contribute to saving the planet,' he added.

Chief Minister Adityanath planted saplings in Rampur Halwara village on Dashrath Path in Ayodhya and took a selfie under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.

The Chief Minister began his visit to Ayodhya with prayers at the sacred Hanumangarhi temple, seeking peace and prosperity for the state.

He also circumambulated the temple complex to review the progress of the Ram Mandir construction and offered prayers at the Ram Darbar. The Chief Minister commenced his Ayodhya tour with a visit to the Sankat Mochan Hanumangarhi temple. He performed traditional rituals and prayed for the well-being of the people of Uttar Pradesh.

After Hanumangarhi, the Chief Minister proceeded to offer prayers at Ram Lalla's sanctum sanctorum. He performed aarti, circumambulated the temple premises, and later offered prayers at the Ram Darbar.

He also took stock of the progress of the temple construction. Office bearers of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust briefed him on the current status and upcoming phases of the construction project, according to an official release.

On his arrival at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, CM Yogi received a grand reception from local public representatives and officials. This marks the Chief Minister's first visit to Ayodhya in the month of July. He had last visited on June 5 for the inauguration of the Ram Darbar. (ANI)