Last Updated on May 24, 2026 11:39 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS

S. N. Verma / Noida

In a major green initiative aimed at restoring the ecological health of the Yamuna river belt, the Noida Lok Manch has begun preparations for creating a large-scale “Oxygen Bank” through an ambitious plantation drive along the Yamuna floodplains. Under the first phase of the campaign, nearly five lakh saplings are proposed to be planted from Sector 14A in Noida to Greater Noida.

To push the project forward, Lok Manch General Secretary Mahesh Saxena has sent a third letter to Yogi Adityanath seeking government support for the environmental campaign. Earlier, letters and proposals had also been submitted to MPs, MLAs, authority CEOs and senior administrative officials.

The proposal was discussed in detail during a meeting held on Saturday at the Lok Manch office in Sector 15, Noida, where environmentalists, social workers and members of the organization deliberated on the changing condition of the Yamuna river, ecological conservation and the urgent need to increase green cover in the region.

Participants stressed that unchecked urbanisation, pollution and shrinking green spaces have severely impacted the river ecosystem. The proposed plantation campaign, they said, would help revive the natural character of the Yamuna while also improving air quality and groundwater recharge in the National Capital Region.

Speaking at the meeting, Mahesh Saxena said the Yamuna is not merely a river but an important part of the country’s environmental, cultural and social heritage. He emphasized that public participation and administrative cooperation would both be essential for the success of the campaign.

“The plantation drive will act as an oxygen bank for the region. Besides strengthening the environment, it will help control pollution, improve groundwater levels and create a healthier ecosystem for future generations,” Saxena said.

Members present at the meeting resolved to transform the initiative into a people’s movement with active community participation. According to organizers, the campaign is expected to include awareness drives, volunteer participation and coordination with government departments to ensure large-scale plantation and long-term maintenance of saplings.

Among those present at the meeting were C. Jha, Deepika Thakur, Dr. Umesh, Indira Chaudhary, Lika Saxena, Mukta Gupta, Pradeep Vohra, Ar. N. Srivastava, Ramsharan Gaur, S. Jain, Santosh Thakur, Suresh Agarwal, Vibha Bansal, Vinod Sharma and Renu Chibbar.