Yogi govt to form ‘Green Chaupals’ in villages across UP

Lucknow, May 28: In a significant move towards increasing green cover across Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government will form ‘Green Chaupal’ in villages. The initiative, led by the Forest Department, aims to transform the state’s plantation efforts into a public movement, ensuring active community involvement in environmental conservation.

This decision follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive in a recent review meeting, where he emphasized the need to raise Uttar Pradesh’s green cover to 15% by the year 2030. He stated that this ambitious target could only be achieved when plantation becomes a mass movement.

As part of the initiative, ‘Green Chaupal’ will be established at the level of every gram sabha with support from various departments. Each Chaupal will be responsible for holding at least one meeting every month. In addition to this, the government also plans to create ‘Gram Van’ in villages to support afforestation efforts.

The Divisional Forest Officer, acting as the Member Secretary of the District Environment Committee, will lead the formation of Green Chaupal in every Gram Sabha with support from various departments. Each Green Chaupal will be chaired by the Gram Pradhan (village head), while the Section/Beat Officer will serve as Member Secretary and the Gram Vikas Adhikari (Village Development Officer) as the Coordinator.

The committee will also include three Gram Panchayat members (at least one woman), a woman representative from a self-help group, the headmaster of a local primary school, an Anganwadi assistant, a progressive farmer, a local environmentalist or NGO representative, and a member from the Biodiversity Management Committee. Other departmental representatives will be special invited members.

The Green Chaupal will actively participate in the planning and implementation of Gram Panchayat-wise microplan for plantation. It will also ensure tree plantation and maintenance on vacant land available in the Gram Panchayat for increasing greenery. The Chaupal will carry out its responsibilities in line with the vision of the state government and the District Plantation Committee.

Additionally, the public will be made aware of various schemes run by different departments related to Mission LiFE, forest and wildlife conservation, wetlands, environment, biodiversity protection, climate change, plantation, carbon credits, and alternative energy. The Green Chaupal team will also focus on raising awareness to control human-wildlife conflict and will work towards establishing and managing a Gram Harit Nidhi.

To achieve the state’s green targets, each Green Chaupal will be required to hold at least one meeting every month. Extensive awareness campaigns will be conducted at the village level, including street plays, rallies, and workshops. Schools will be involved in spreading awareness among teachers and students about biodiversity, environmental protection, and climate change. The District Plantation Committee will monitor the functioning of the Green Chaupals, while the Divisional Forest Officer will be responsible for coordination to ensure their effective operation.

Ramkumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Projects) mentioned that in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, preparations are underway for the formation of Green Chaupals. These Chaupals will play a vital role in enhancing greenery across Uttar Pradesh. At the village level, the Gram Pradhan will serve as the President of the Green Chaupal. To achieve the goals of increasing green cover, it will be mandatory to hold at least one meeting of the Green Chaupal every month.