After cutting nearly 500,000 trees last year for infrastructure projects, Maharashtra plans to plant 100 million trees this year. The campaign, called ‘Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra,’ aims to boost the state’s forest cover.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged public participation, saying the drive will succeed only if citizens join in. Another 100 million trees are planned for next year.
Maharashtra currently has 21.25% forest cover, below the national target of 33%. Officials say planting will focus on highways, pilgrimage routes, and areas with low tree cover like Marathwada.
New technology such as satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence will help track progress. The forest department now leads plantation efforts along roads.
Environmentalists warn the target is ambitious and stress preserving large existing trees. They also call for more urban trees, especially in heat-hit cities like Mumbai.
The government’s tree-planting push aims to restore balance and fight rising temperatures.
