LUCKNOW: BJP MP Dinesh Sharma has praised the 'transformation' of Uttar Pradesh under the BJP-led government, claiming that the state has shed its image of lawlessness and has now become the "best state"."Everyone knows what kind of rule is prevailing in Uttar Pradesh. The era of lawlessness has ended, and now the rule of the people is in place... It took a considerable amount of time to transform Uttar Pradesh. Today, after 8 years, Uttar Pradesh has become not just excellent but the best state..."Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the state currently has 10 per cent forest cover and the goal is to raise it to 16 per cent."The campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' that we started in alignment with the Prime Minister's vision on World Environment Day - June 5, 2025, is achieving new heights of success. On June 29, this campaign moved ahead, and on July 9, it will achieve a new height when 37 crore saplings will be planted across Uttar Pradesh... I am happy that the 210 crore tree plantation programs were successfully completed in 8 years. We now have 10 per cent forest cover.

We should aim for 16% of forest cover in Uttar Pradesh, which will equal the country's 16% population living in the state," CM Yogi Adityanath said.He further said that PM Modi has decided that India will achieve the target of Net Zero in Carbon Emissions, and the government has made several transformations in this regard. "In 2017, when we had to conduct a plantation drive, we could hardly obtain five crore saplings from the nurseries of the forest department.

In 2025, we have 52 crore saplings - and are not of Eucalyptus or Popular but neem, mango, peepal," he said."I am happy that PM Modi's campaign to protect the environment by planting saplings - under 'Ek ped maa ke naam' campaign has been successful and to give it a newer heights, on July 9, a record number of saplings - over 37 crore will be planted in a single day," he added.