Lucknow, June 5 -- The green cover in Uttar Pradesh has increased by 559.19 square kilometres, as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2023, stated a press release issued by the state government on Wednesday. The state now has the highest number of dolphins in the country as a direct result of focused conservation efforts. The tiger population is also rising steadily. According to the forest department, the number of tigers in Uttar Pradesh has grown from 173 in 2018 to 205 in 2022. Since 2017-18, the state government has planted more than 204.65 crore saplings. This year, the goal is to plant another 35 crore. Special plantations along the Ganga river are already underway under the "Ganga Van" initiative. Over 14 crore saplings will be planted along the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Gomti, Chhoti Gandak, Hindon, Rapti, Ramganga, and Sone rivers this year. Another important project focuses on turtle conservation. Turtles are among the oldest living creatures on Earth and hold ecological and religious importance. Under the Turtle Conservation Scheme, natural habitats are being preserved, and breeding centres have been set up in Sarnath and Kukrail. "Uttar Pradesh has established Asia's first Jatayu Conservation Centre in Gorakhpur, and six Jatayu have already been brought here. The Kukrail river in Lucknow was freed of encroachment, and in 2024, the plantation drive began from this spot," said forest, environment and climate change minister Arun K Saxena. "The Mitra Van were established in districts bordering other states, including Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shrawasti, Bahraich, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri," he added....