LUCKNOW, July 1 -- Uttar Pradesh minister of state (independent charge) for forests, environment, zoological gardens and climate change, Arun Kumar, inaugurated the state-wide Van Mahotsav by planting a bael sapling on the Gayatri Shaktipeeth Temple premises in Bareilly and another in Badaun.

On the occasion, the minister urged people across the state to plant more trees and care for them properly, saying environmental conservation, ecological balance and the secure future of coming generations depend on large-scale plantation and maintenance of saplings.

Around 2,000 participants at the Van Mahotsav were distributed grafted saplings of mango, tulsi, pomegranate, guava, drumstick (moringa) and several other species.

At Kukrail, V Hekal...