World NewsIndia

Indians Plant 220 Million Trees In A Single Day

India has pledged to keep one-third of its land area under tree cover, but its 1.3 billion people and rapid industrialization are hampering its efforts.
AP

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — More than a million Indians planted 220 million trees on Friday in a government campaign to tackle climate change and improve the environment in the country’s most populous state.

Forest official Bivhas Ranjan said students, lawmakers, officials and others planted dozens of species of saplings Friday along roads, rail tracks and in forest lands in northern Uttar Pradesh state. The target of 220 million saplings was achieved by 5 p.m.

Ranjan said the trees, including 16 fruit species, will increase forest cover in the state.

India has pledged to keep one-third of its land area under tree cover, but its 1.3 billion people and rapid industrialization are hampering its efforts.

“We set the target of 220 million because Uttar Pradesh is home to 220 million people,” said state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Planting was carried out in 1,430,381 places, including 60,000 villages and 83,000 sites in forest ranges.

“The whole process is online. The pits are geo-tagged and the saplings carry a QR code. So we can record how many saplings are planted and where,” state government spokesman Awanish Awasthi said.

The long-term survival of trees remains a concern. Usually, about 60% of saplings survive, with the rest succumbing to disease or lack of water, he said.

Kavya Sharma, a 7-year-old student, skipped classes in Lucknow, the state capital, to plant two saplings in a forest range.

It was the second huge tree planting campaign in Uttar Pradesh. In July 2016, 50 million saplings were planted in a day.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

World Environment Day Activities
1. Take A Hike(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Even in the most urban parts of America, natural beauty can be found just a few miles from home. Take your child on a nature walk, or a hike on a nearby trail. Keep an eye out for exotic birds and insects (just remember not to touch!) and make sure to point out exceptionally beautiful plants.Find the nearest nature reserve or trail near you by checking out Traillink.com, Localhikes.com, or the Sierra Club website. Before you go, make sure to read REI's advice for hiking with kids. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and reusable water bottles! (credit:Alamy)
2. Make Earth-Friendly Treats And Picnic(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
What better way to celebrate World Environment Day with your kid than to spend it in the kitchen? The night before, make granola with your child so they have a crunchy, earthy, homemade breakfast to look forward to in the morning. For lunch, put together some colorful salads made with local, organic vegetables and fruits. Talk about the different tastes, textures, and colors that come naturally from these foods, and why it is so important to eat things that come straight from the ground instead of a factory. This list from SheKnows.com is a good place to get some ideas. For a protein side, have fun with cage free hard boiled eggs. Extra points for organic and all-natural ingredients!Now comes the best part: dessert. Baking cakes, cookies, and cupcakes gives you the chance to show your child how sweet World Environment Day can really be. Check out Earth Day Globe Cookies from Family Corner, Bug Mountain Cake from Family Fun, and this creative concept from Dollhouse Bake Shoppe for Fruit Tree Cupcakes.For extra fun, pack up your meal and make it a picnic. Check out the Nature Conservancy's plan to Picnic for the Planet and participate in an event. Flickr image courtesy of zestycarl (credit:Flickr: zestycarl)
3. Read A Book(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sometimes, the best way to teach your child is just to read a book with them. Children's books often carry beautiful messages about planet Earth in a very understandable way. Pick up some green kids' books at Barnes & Noble, or order them online through Amazon.
Here are some of our favorite children's reads:
Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf by Olivia Bouler: This collection of drawings an 11-year old girl did in the aftermath of the 2011 Gulf Oil Spill is inspirational, and awe-inspiring -- with this collection, Olivia raised $175,000 for the recovery effort.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss: This environmentally aware classic was published in 1971, just one year after the Earth Day movement began!
The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole: Miss Frizzle is the queen of science fun, and this Earth-friendly adventure is no exception.
Earth Day-- Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy: Not only does this teach kids about the benefits of recycling, but helps them with math along the way.
The Earth and I by Frank Asch: If "The Giving Tree" has a warm place in your heart, you and your child will want to read this book about the special relationship humans have with nature.
The Earth Book by Todd Parr: Made with recycled materials and nontoxic soy ink, this book truly practices what it preaches.
Every Minute on Earth by Steve Murrie: For the children of Trivia Night royalty, this book is full of great Earth factoids. (credit:Alamy)
4. Plant Something(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Although it may take longer than one day to see results, planting fruits, vegetables, flowers, or herbs can thrill children, and teach them how we can all contribute to the natural beauty of the world. If you are already a gardener, take your kids outside and have them help you with your plants. Let them weed, water, or actually plant bulbs and they will feel super important and proud. Here are the National Wildlife Federation's tips for gardening with kids, just to make things a little easier.Not enough backyard space for serious planting? Potted plants brighten up a room and give your child a chance to see his or her project bloom on a daily basis. Web Ecoist's list of hard-to-kill houseplants could be a good place to start for the easily distracted. If your child is one to nurture and love a plant, potted herbs are always fun. (credit:Alamy)
5. Build A Bird Feeder(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Building a bird feeder is a classic childhood activity that connects kids to the world around them. Check out HGTV's different types of bird feeders you can make with your kid out of recycled materials. Or, of course, you can always just go the peanut butter and pine cone route!Flickr image courtesy of USFS Region 5 (credit:Flickr: USFS Region 5)
6. Go See The Animals(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
One of the best parts about World Environment Day is experiencing the natural wonder in our communities. For a fun day trip, take your kids to the local zoo, aquarium, or botanical gardens to see what the world has to offer. Find a zoo or aquarium near you through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums website. You may even live near one of Parents Magazine's Top 10 Zoos or Top 10 Aquariums for kids! Check out your local zoo/aquarium website to find out more.Are your kids too young for a zoo, or would just prefer to see some flora? You can also find a nearby arboretum or botanical gardens through the Better Homes and Gardens locator. Or just pack up a picnic and head to your local park! (credit:Getty)
7. Play The Recycling Game(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Here at HuffPost Green, we believe that anything that can be turned into a game, should be. By making recycling fun, your kids will better understand the concept from a young age, and will be excited to participate when it comes time to separate your glass and paper. If your kids enjoy playing on the computer, have them check out these recycling games on the BBC website and Kaboose.com. This packet from the California Energy Commission has loads of crafts, facts, and games focused on recycling that you and your child can look through together.Have a large group (or at least 2+ kids) and want to involve them all? Play this recycling game, and actually sort your waste in the process: 1. Split the kids into two teams, or have each child play on their own.2. Give them a pile of mixed recycled goods: plastics, paper, aluminum cans, or anything else that is safe for a child to toss.3. Set up 3 bins near each team labeled "paper" "plastic" and "aluminum"4. On the count of three, see which team can sort the pile into the appropriate bins first. Whoever wins gets a World Environment Day cookie! (credit:Alamy)
8. Reuse Old Clothes(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Since kids cycle through clothes fast, teaching them new uses for old items is a great World Environment Day activity. Have them transform an old t-shirt into a fun pillow, or make sock puppets that can be used to perform a play. As long as you use non-toxic, all natural materials, tye-dyeing is fun any day of the year! For an added splash, use different hues of greens.Flickr image courtesy of Vancour (credit:Flickr: Vancour)
9. Play In The Dark(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Kids love a good mystery, and playing in a dark room can help explain the concept of power saving. Have them play hide and seek or marco polo in a room with the lights off, or gather in the closet and tell a (not too) scary story. Show them how much fun can be had without using any extra power. Just make sure to put any sharp or dangerous objects away before you shut off the lights! (credit:Alamy)
10. Make A Solar Oven(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Explaining the concept of renewable energy to kids can be tricky, which is why making a solar oven is such a great World Environment Day activity. PBS kids has a great step-by-step solar oven guide, or check out this easy Home Training Tools method. They even have some tasty recipes for you to make in your new cooker!Flickr image courtesy of frankenstoen (credit:Flickr: frankenstoen)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip