LUCKNOW, July 13 -- Uttar Pradesh planted over 35.27 crore (35,27,89,926) saplings across the state on Sunday as part of a mega drive (Vraksharopan Mahayagya 2026) launched by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur, according to an official statement. This takes the total count of saplings planted this year to over 40 crore (40,29,36,367), including the over five crore (5,01,46,441) saplings planted on World Environment Day on June 5. The state had set a target of 35 crore saplings for the day but exceeded it by over 27 lakh (27,89,926) saplings. Since 2017, the total number of saplings planted across the state has crossed 282 crore. During Sunday's mega campaign, Sonbhadra topped the list of districts by planting over 1.68 crore (1,68,47,717) saplings. After completing the plantation drive, chief minister Yogi Adityanath wrote on X, "The ancient mantra (that) earth is my mother, and I am her son has today become a living resolve for the people of Uttar Pradesh. Inspired by the call of the Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi-"Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" and as part of the 'Tree Plantation Mega-Campaign 2026', the 'New Uttar Pradesh' of 'New India' has scripted a golden chapter in the history of nature conservation by planting over 35 crore saplings in a single day." The plantation campaign began at 7 am. Within an hour, over one crore saplings were planted, the figure went up to 4.59 crore by 9am and crossed 10 crore by 10am. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, who planted saplings in Lucknow and Barabanki, said, "Making this campaign successful will not only improve our environment significantly, but we can also offer a true tribute to our mothers. In the shade of the tree, we can see a mother's affection, and the fruits from the tree will be like a mother's blessing (prasad)."Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly speaker Satish Mahana planted saplings on the BIPARD (Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development) campus in Gaya, Bihar, where he addressed orientation and training programmes for members of the assembly. Deputy chief minister Keshav Maurya planted saplings in Jhansi. "Governor Anandiben Patel planted a sandalwood sapling at Jan Bhavan," said Sitanshu Pandey, DFO, Lucknow. Apart from ministers, bureaucrats and staff of 26 departments took part in the plantation drive as part of which principal secretary (forest) V Hekali Zhimomi planted a sapling in Lucknow. "By 12 noon, that is five hours after the start, Uttar Pradesh was half way to the total target as 17,51,08,985 saplings were planted and, by evening, the target was achieved," said Aditi Sharma, chief conservator of forests. The plantation initiative is expected to increase the state's forest carbon stock in forests, which currently stands at 2.46% compared to the national average of 1.13%....