In a country where urban growth often erases green landscapes and worsens pollution, Uttar Pradesh is carving out a different path — one rooted in sustainability, innovation, and local solutions. The state is quietly transforming its cities through a range of initiatives that seek to restore balance between development and the environment. From forests growing in dense city pockets to roads built with plastic waste and rooftops lined with solar panels, Uttar Pradesh is proving that climate resilience can be built one tree, one street, and one rooftop at a time.
This transformation is not the result of a single grand plan, but rather a series of focused, interconnected efforts. Each addresses a key area — air quality, heat mitigation, carbon capture, or waste management. Together, they reflect a growing realisation: to fight climate change effectively, action must be both local and layered.
One of the standout strategies is the use of the Miyawaki method of afforestation — a technique developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki that creates dense, fast-growing forests using native species. In Uttar Pradesh, over 310 acres have been converted into such forests. These patches, often planted in highly polluted urban zones, grow rapidly into green oases that regulate microclimates, absorb carbon, reduce noise, and improve biodiversity. A striking example is found near Lucknow’s Kukrail forest reserve, where a once-vacant plot now supports over 60 native species in less than two years. Local residents now use the forest patch for walking, birdwatching, and quiet reflection. Similar projects are thriving in Kanpur, Varanasi, and Meerut, highlighting that even small spaces can have a big ecological impact.
This afforestation push is supported by the Upvan Policy, which focuses on greening larger, often degraded urban lands. Under this initiative, an additional 32 acres of green space have been added across cities. These areas are designed not just as parks but as ecosystems — spaces that can absorb up to 30 times more carbon dioxide than standard tree-planting efforts. While planting trees pulls carbon from the air, the state is also addressing another major challenge: plastic pollution. Under a bold new initiative, Uttar Pradesh is using shredded single-use plastic to build roads. Mixed with bitumen, this plastic-asphalt blend is being used to construct nearly 1,500 kilometers of roads. The project has repurposed around 2,000 tonnes of waste plastic so far, reducing landfill loads and offering a durable, water-resistant road surface. In Ghaziabad, a three-kilometer stretch built using this method has withstood two monsoons with minimal damage. The success of such roads is inspiring other districts to follow suit. Importantly, this strategy also encourages better waste segregation and gives economic value to plastic waste, creating opportunities for waste collectors and recyclers.
Solar Rooftops: Clean Energy at the Top
Another pillar of Uttar Pradesh’s green revolution is solar energy. Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the state is promoting solar rooftop installations across urban centers. Cities like Noida, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur are seeing a surge in installations — over one lakh rooftops already host solar panels, with more than 11,500 new systems being added each month.
These solar panels are not only reducing dependence on fossil fuels but are also helping to cool homes, mitigating the urban heat island effect. By insulating rooftops, they reduce the need for air conditioning, indirectly lowering electricity consumption. The state’s target of eight lakh installations by 2027 makes it one of India’s most ambitious decentralised solar programs. Renuka Sharma, a homemaker in Rae Bareli, is among the many who have benefited. Her power bill has dropped by more than 60%, and she now advocates solar energy to her neighbors. “It’s just there — on the roof-saving money and helping the environment,†she says. The impact of these green initiatives is already visible. Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), cities like Agra, Jhansi, and Rae Bareli have reported consistent reductions in particulate matter levels. Agra, once infamous for the smog clouding the Taj Mahal, now sees clearer skies thanks to a combination of road sweeping, dust suppression, and increased green cover. Urban planners emphasise that these results are not due to one policy, but a synergy of efforts: more trees, better waste management, solar energy, and innovative infrastructure all working together. Despite the progress, Uttar Pradesh still faces serious environmental challenges, from seasonal pollution spikes to groundwater depletion and the pressures of fast-paced urbanisation. The state’s per capita green cover remains below the national average, and solar adoption in rural areas is still limited. However, what’s encouraging is the shift in mindset. Environmental stewardship is no longer limited to token tree-planting drives or political speeches. It’s becoming embedded in urban planning and civic development. Climate action is now part of housing schemes and infrastructure planning. As India confronts the reality of a warming planet, its largest states will shape the country’s response. UP, with its scale and diversity, has the potential to lead by example. If it can continue to transform challenges into opportunities for green innovation, the impact could ripple far beyond its borders. The journey is ongoing, but the direction is clear. The seeds of a sustainable future have been planted, and they’re beginning to take root.
(The writer is the Associate Editor, The Pioneer, Lucknow. Views expressed are personal)
