PRAYAGRAJ, July 19 -- Adding a cultural dimension to Uttar Pradesh's Plantation Maha Abhiyan-2026, the forest department is developing 12 themed "Special Forests" in Kaushambi, revered as the land of Lord Buddha, with 1.19 lakh saplings to be planted by July 27.

The campaign, being carried out under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative, seeks to combine environmental conservation with agricultural, social and cultural objectives. Plantation activities are being conducted in phases, with different categories of forests being developed on designated dates.

The first phase began on Saturday with the creation of "Samriddhi Van" at Osa Gram Sabha, where 7,500 saplings were planted. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Ajay Pandey said the initiati...