Ayodhya Goes Green: Climate Action Takes Root In India’s Temple City
AYODHYA (IANS)- Ayodhya, once known primarily as a sacred spiritual hub, is fast becoming a symbol of environmental resurgence in India. On July 9, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath marked a major milestone in the state’s climate action efforts, announcing the plantation of more than 204 crore saplings and the reforestation of 5 lakh acres over the past eight years.
He highlighted the campaign’s strong environmental impact, noting a remarkable 75 percent survival rate for the planted saplings. “We have turned the heatwave into a green wave,” he said, underscoring the initiative’s importance in purifying the air and mitigating climate change.
The mass afforestation effort is more than symbolic—it reflects a growing commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development. The campaign not only counters deforestation and rising temperatures but also stimulates rural prosperity. Farmers participating in the program receive $6 per tree annually for five years. Last year alone, over 25,000 farmers benefited. This year, the state will distribute ₹42 lakh in carbon credit payouts across seven commissionerates, rewarding those helping to expand and maintain green cover.
Ayodhya, central to these efforts, is emerging as a new model for sustainable urban development. The city is on course to become India’s first fully solar-powered city and has adopted the Miyawaki method for forest creation—a Japanese technique that involves planting dense mini-forests using native species. These green pockets grow rapidly and require minimal maintenance, enhancing biodiversity and urban cooling.
Adityanath reflected on the broader environmental crisis, blaming extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cloudbursts on unplanned development. Citing recent flash floods in Texas, where children were reportedly swept away, he emphasized the global stakes of climate inaction. “Climate change is a global crisis. The only way forward is a synergy between sustainable development and environmental conservation, grounded in scientific planning,” he said.
