A massive greening drive is to be launched soon to curb environmental pollution in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone of Agra spread over 10,400 sq km, according to officials.
Alarmed at the sharp pace of denudation due to the large-scale construction and expansion of infrastructural facilities, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a target of planting 22 crore saplings by the end of August, said Forest Department officials.
Agra’s green cover is just around 6.5 per cent while UP’s share has come down to 19.5 per cent against the national goal of 33 percent, they pointed out.