Lucknow, June 5, 2026: On World Environment Day, the Uttar Pradesh government launched the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Project (UPCAMP), a Rs 2,741 crore initiative aimed at improving air quality across the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also unveiled the logo for the Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan-2026 under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, which aims to plant 35 crore saplings during the upcoming monsoon season.
The event, held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, brought together government officials, environmental experts, industry representatives, students, and community leaders to discuss climate change and environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources and adopting a balanced approach to development.
“If there is water, there is a future; if there are forests, there is life. Our existence is intrinsically linked to nature, yet for a long time we did not give this relationship the importance it deserved. As a result, today the entire world is facing the challenge of climate change. The need of the hour is to adopt a path of balanced development in harmony with nature and make the conservation of water, forests, and the environment an integral part of our lifestyle. It is our cultural ethos that we always respect and protect the mother who gave us birth and Mother Earth who gave us life,” said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
UPCAMP, supported by the World Bank, is being described as India’s first airshed-based air pollution management project. Unlike traditional city-focused plans, the project will address pollution across a larger geographical region, recognizing that air pollution often travels across district and state boundaries. Officials noted that nearly 40% of the pollution affecting Uttar Pradesh originates outside the state.
The project will focus on reducing pollution from major sources, including transport, industries, agriculture, road dust, and household cooking fuels. Key measures include promoting electric vehicles and buses, encouraging cleaner industrial technologies, improving stubble management practices, and expanding clean cooking solutions. The state also plans to install nearly 200 new air quality monitoring stations to strengthen pollution tracking and data-driven decision-making.
Speaking at the event, Environment Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena said the initiative reflects Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to balancing development with environmental protection. He highlighted the state’s progress in increasing green cover and conserving wetlands while announcing the launch of the clean air project.
Alongside the air quality initiative, the government unveiled the logo for the Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan-2026 campaign. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath symbolically watered a sapling to mark the beginning of preparations for the plantation drive.
The government stated that Uttar Pradesh has planted more than 242 crore saplings over the past nine years, reporting improvements in green cover and wetland conservation. This year’s target of 35 crore saplings is expected to strengthen the state’s environmental efforts further.
The event also featured the launch of the UPCAMP website and promotional materials, the release of a special publication on Uttar Pradesh’s Ramsar wetlands, and a seminar on climate change solutions. Awards were presented to winners of environmental competitions and village heads from wetland areas for their contributions to conservation.
The launch of UPCAMP and the plantation campaign reflects the state government’s twin strategy of tackling air pollution in the short term while promoting long-term environmental restoration through large-scale afforestation. As Uttar Pradesh continues to face challenges from vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and seasonal crop burning, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation and public participation across the state.
About the Author
1 thought on “CM Yogi Adityanath Launches Rs 2,741 Crore Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Project (UPCAMP), Unveils Official Logo and Website”