LUCKNOW, March 21 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, during previous governments, only 5.5 crore saplings could be planted, and even that required support from private nurseries. In contrast, last year, 37 crore saplings were planted across the state on a single day.

"The forest cover in the state should correspond to its share in the country's population, meaning efforts are needed to raise it to 16 to 17%," he said.

"This year, a target of 35 crore has been set, which may increase to 40 to 45 crore," said CM on Saturday during the inauguration ceremony of the National Forestry Dialogue, organised on the occasion of International Day of Forests by the UP forest department.

In the last nine years, 242 crore saplings have been plan...