Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Corruption in Tree Plantation Drive
Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of the Samajwadi Party, has raised serious allegations against the BJP government regarding its tree plantation campaign, claiming it is a cover for corruption. He criticized the initiative launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, asserting that it is more about financial gain than environmental concern. Yadav emphasized that the government has failed to genuinely plant trees and has instead engaged in illegal logging, posing a significant threat to the environment. He also pointed out the government's unfulfilled promises regarding river cleaning, highlighting the pollution of major rivers in the state. This article delves into Yadav's accusations and the implications for environmental policies in Uttar Pradesh.
Jul 12, 2026, 19:21 IST
Allegations Against BJP's Tree Plantation Initiative
The national president of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, has made serious allegations of corruption against the BJP government regarding its tree plantation campaign. He sharply criticized the initiative, stating that for the BJP, 'tree plantation' has essentially turned into a program for 'corruption'. Notably, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the 'One Tree in the Name of Mother' mega campaign on the same day, aiming to plant over 350 million saplings across the state.
In a statement released from the SP headquarters, Yadav questioned the campaign, asserting, 'This is not about planting 350 million trees; rather, it is a secret plan by the BJP to earn at least 10 rupees from each tree, totaling 3.5 billion rupees. Those who have not left the court of God will certainly not abandon gardens.' He accused the BJP government of rampant corruption in every department and claimed that schemes are merely created for corrupt practices. He emphasized that over the past decade, trees have only been planted on paper, with no actual trees visible on the ground. The few trees that were planted have dried up due to lack of water.
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Yadav further stated that the government introduces new schemes for corruption under the guise of tree plantation every year, and after distributing the budget, the campaign ends. He noted that throughout the year, the government shows no concern for trees or the environment. He alleged that illegal logging of trees and forests is occurring under this government, creating a severe crisis for the environment.
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Discussing the issue of river cleaning, the former Chief Minister remarked that the BJP government made false promises regarding cleaning rivers, and the allocated budget fell prey to corruption. He pointed out that neither the Ganges nor its tributaries have been cleaned, and the Yamuna River is severely polluted, with many rivers in the state struggling for survival. He recalled that during the SP government, the Gomti River in Lucknow was cleaned, leading to the creation of a world-class Gomti Riverfront, which served as an excellent example of river cleaning, but the BJP government has ruined it.