Varanasi Municipal Corporation Aims for Guinness Record with Massive Plantation Drive
This Sunday at 9 AM, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) will embark on an ambitious environmental mission, attempting to set a new Guinness World Record by planting more than 3.17 lakh saplings in just one hour. The large-scale plantation will take place on 350 bigha of land along the sacred Ganga river in the Sujabad Domri area, marking a significant milestone in urban environmental conservation.
Record-Breaking Initiative Under Government Scheme
The plantation drive is being conducted under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, a government scheme through which Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted Domari village back in 2018. This initiative represents a continuation of the development focus on this region, transforming it into a model of sustainable urban planning.
Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari confirmed that representatives from the Guinness World Records organization have already arrived in the city to monitor and verify the record attempt. All preparations for this monumental plantation drive have been completed, with the event scheduled to occur on land situated directly opposite the famous ghats of Kashi.
Massive Participation from Multiple Stakeholders
The plantation effort will see participation from an extensive cross-section of the community. Corporators from all 100 municipal wards will be present with their teams, alongside officials and staff members of the civic body. Social and voluntary organizations have also pledged their support, while thousands of workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party will join hands to make this environmental initiative a success.
Dual Purpose: Environmental and Economic Benefits
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal emphasized that this plantation drive serves a dual purpose. Not only does it aim to significantly improve the environmental quality of Kashi, but it also establishes a sustainable revenue model for the municipal corporation.
According to initial projections, the proposed urban forest will begin generating revenue from its third year of existence. The produce—which will include fruits, Ayurvedic herbs, and bamboo—is expected to reach approximately Rs 7 crore in annual revenue by the seventh year. More immediately, the civic body has projected earnings of about Rs 19.80 crore within the first five years of the project.
Long-Term Environmental and Structural Benefits
Officials highlighted several additional benefits of this ambitious project:
- Riverbank stabilization: The plantation will help strengthen the banks of the Ganga river
- Oxygen generation: The urban forest will serve as a vital "oxygen bank" for future generations
- Climate resilience: The plantation is designed to withstand extreme heat conditions
The urban forest will be maintained through a smart irrigation system, with watering scheduled for 45 minutes three times weekly. This careful maintenance plan ensures the plantation remains healthy even during periods of extreme heat, creating a resilient green space for the historic city.
This record-breaking plantation drive represents a significant step forward in urban environmental management, combining ecological restoration with economic sustainability in one of India's most spiritually significant cities.
