From Dolphin Revival to Clean Energy Push: CM Yogi Highlights Uttar Pradesh’s Environmental Progress

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday outlined the state’s progress in environmental conservation and sustainable development, highlighting key achievements in wildlife protection, clean energy, and public transport initiatives. Speaking at a public event, the Chief Minister noted that Gangetic dolphins, once on the verge of extinction before 2017, are now being spotted again in several rivers across the country. He credited initiatives like the Namami Gange for this revival. Sharing recent data, he said that out of around 6,327 dolphins recorded in the 2023 river dolphin census, around 2,397 were found in Uttar Pradesh alone. The Chief Minister also spoke about wildlife conservation efforts, mentioning the establishment of a dedicated centre in Gorakhpur for the protection of the red-headed vulture, often referred to as ‘Jatayu’. He added that the centre is now fully operational and contributing to conservation goals. Alongside this, he highlighted the state’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon targets through multiple initiatives. Emphasising green mobility and infrastructure, Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in electric vehicle adoption, with a well-defined EV policy and a manufacturing unit set up in Lucknow. He also noted that metro services are operational in seven cities, while India’s first rapid rail system is running within the state. Over 700 electric buses have been deployed, and the state has the highest number of e-rickshaws in the country. The Chief Minister further announced that Ayodhya is being developed as a ‘Solar City’ as part of the broader clean energy push. He added that plans are underway to develop 18 more municipal corporations along similar lines, reflecting the government’s focus on sustainable urban development.