LUCKNOW, June 6 -- Despite rapid urban expansion, infrastructural development, rising vehicular traffic and population growth over the past two decades, Lucknow continues to maintain significant green spaces, with 15.87% tree cover across the district's geographical area, according to the 2023 forest survey report. "In the 2019 forest survey report, Lucknow had recorded 14.99% green cover, which is 15.87%, according to the 2023 report. The next report will bring about a major increase as we are not just planting, but also protecting saplings," divisional forest officer Sitanshu Pandey said. Lucknow's iconic green destinations include Kukrail Reserve Forest (5,000 acres), Lohia Park (76 acres), Janeshwar Mishra Park (376 acres), and zoo (71 acres). Besides, the city has over 1,000 other small parks amid 7 lakh houses spread in 560 sq-km municipal limits. In the year 2024, Lucknow planted 4125986 saplings (15,14,768 by forest department and 26,11,218 by other departments). The saplings planted by the forest department have a survival rate of around 90%, while a third-party analysis of saplings planted by other departments is going on, according to officials....