The UP government will be expanding its efforts in the plantation of trees in the monsoon season beyond the sphere of conservation to public health and nutrition. During the state plantation drive, special initiatives to encourage the plantation of fruit-bearing and nutritive plants will be undertaken under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The two innovative programmes ‘Aam Bahar Aapke Dwar’ and ‘Sahjan Ka Bhandara, Swasthya Ka Sahara’ will be organised at the development blocks spread across Uttar Pradesh as a part of the campaign. The programmes do target the plantation of mango and drumstick saplings, and promote the knowledge of their nutrition and medicinal values to a large extent.
During the plantation campaign, preference has been given to the species that produce fruits, the Chief Minister has directed officials. Focus has been laid on drumstick (sahjan) as an edible nutrient value and medicinal plant. Drumstick is also a rich source of protein, vitamins and antioxidants, making it a super food for combating malnutrition and promoting overall health.
The drumstick saplings will be provided to the people under the programme “Sahjan Ka Bhandara, Swasthya Ka Sahara”, besides the information about cultivation, conservation and health benefits of the drumstick. Awareness programmes will also promote the nutritional benefits of the leaves, flowers and the pods of the Drumstick.
Likewise, the “Aam Bahar Aapke Dwar” will emphasize promoting indigenous mango varieties. In coordination with the Horticulture Department, mango saplings will be distributed in each block of development. The citizens will also be trained about the plantation, maintenance and conservation of the mango tree.
Officials explain that mangoes play a crucial role in contributing to the nutritional benefit of people and can be helpful to digestion, immunity, heart and skin health.
To ensure the effective implementation of the campaign block-wise action plan is being prepared in this regard, said Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) Deepak Kumar. The government’s goal is to turn the plantation movement for greenery into a People’s movement to have people take care of their health and nutrition in the state.