LUCKNOW, June 14 -- Braving the scorching sun under a searing 41.9degC with 70% humidity on Friday, forester Noor Alam diligently watered rows of young saplings at the overcrowded Sheeshambagh nursery.

"We currently have 2.25 lakh saplings here-twice the nursery's capacity. The same is true across other nurseries, as these saplings will be transported to plantation sites over the next ten days," said Alam.

Sheeshambagh is just one of 1,901 nurseries across Uttar Pradesh brimming with greenery, as the state gears up for a massive plantation drive this July: 35 crore saplings are set to be planted-a staggering 600% increase from the 5 crore planted in 2016. The state's commitment to greening took off in 2015, when it made headlines by pla...