Uttar Pradesh has etched its name in history by setting a new Guinness World Record during the ‘Mega Plantation Drive’ held in the Sujabad-Domari area of Varanasi. In an extraordinary display of environmental commitment, 2,51,446 saplings were planted within just one hour, surpassing China’s eight-year-old record and establishing a new global benchmark in mass plantation.

The achievement was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Rishinath, who presented the Guinness World Records certificate to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal following the successful verification of the record.

The previous record was set on March 10, 2018, by the Henan Provincial Committee and Henan Shifange Greening Engineering Company in China, where 1,53,981 saplings were planted in one hour. During the Varanasi event, Guinness World Records Adjudicator Rishinath and World Record Strategist Nischal Barot closely supervised every stage of the plantation drive. The final count was verified using drone surveillance and advanced digital counting systems, ensuring complete accuracy before the new world record was officially declared.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the project is its innovative urban forest concept. The plantation site has been divided into 60 sectors, each named after the iconic Ganga ghats of Kashi, including Dashashwamedh Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Chausatti Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Sheetla Ghat, and several others. As the plantation matures, the area is envisioned to transform into a vibrant green landscape resembling a “Mini Kashi.”

Each sector accommodates more than 4,000 saplings, with a carefully selected mix of 27 native plant species. These include timber trees such as Sheesham, Arjun, Teak, and Bamboo, fruit-bearing varieties like Mango, Guava, and Papaya, as well as medicinal plants including Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Giloy, contributing to biodiversity, ecological sustainability, and environmental conservation.

The record-breaking campaign witnessed overwhelming participation from multiple organizations and institutions. Personnel from the 39 GTC, 34 GTC, 39 GR, and 137 CFTF (TA) units of the Indian Army, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Civil Defence, and the 36th and 39th Battalions of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Uttar Pradesh, actively participated in the massive plantation effort.

Technical planning, plantation management, and irrigation arrangements were efficiently coordinated by Namami Gange, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, Agriculture Department, District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), and the Varanasi Municipal Corporation. Thousands of students from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, UP College, Dehradun Public School, Mukularanyam School, along with NCC cadets and NSS volunteers, enthusiastically joined the initiative, transforming the event into a powerful people’s movement for environmental protection.

This landmark achievement not only establishes a new Guinness World Record but also reflects Uttar Pradesh’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, ecological restoration, and climate action. The plantation drive stands as a shining example of how coordinated public participation can create a lasting positive impact on the environment while inspiring future generations to contribute towards a greener and healthier planet.