Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday announced a major environmental initiative, stating that one river in each district of Uttar Pradesh will be revived. Addressing the Nagar Uplabdhi Samaroh at Ramkatha Park, he said that a large-scale plantation drive will be conducted from July 1 to 7 along riverbanks, highways, and expressways. In Ayodhya, city forests (vatikas) will be developed in the names of Janaki, Bharat, Lakshman, Shatrughna, Hanuman, Sugreev, Jambavan, Shabari, and Nishad Raj.
Marking two years of the current municipal board, the Chief Minister inaugurated projects worth ₹30 crore and laid foundation stones for ₹33 crore worth of development work. He extended greetings for Ganga Dussehra, Saryu Mahotsav, and World Environment Day.
Recalling past challenges, Yogi said that Ayodhya once witnessed firing on devotees, but today they are welcomed with flower showers and clean RO water. Ayodhya is now redefining “Atithi Devo Bhava” on the global stage.
He expressed gratitude to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust for the consecration of idols in eight temples, including Ram Darbar, which took place on Thursday in the presence of religious leaders.
The Chief Minister also praised the organization of Saryu Mahotsav, highlighting the deep spiritual connection between Lord Ram and River Saryu. He emphasized that Ayodhya’s identity is incomplete without Saryu, which has been a witness to the city’s divine heritage for millennia.
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “Bhagirath of modern India,” Yogi applauded the Namami Gange mission. He criticized earlier governments for unscientific development that polluted the Ganga, stating that Modi’s initiative has restored its flow and purity. He noted that during the Prayagraj Kumbh, over 66 crore devotees experienced the river’s renewed sanctity.
