Claim: Samajwadi Party (SP) supporters are claiming that the plant shown in CM Yogi’s recent video from Gorakhpur was pre-planted or fake. They are calling the entire tree plantation event a “staged drama” meant to mislead the public.
After these kinds of posts, UPChauraha did a fact check and found a clear video of the plantation drive, which we have discussed below.
Details of the Event:
On 12 July 2026, at the sacred Gorakhnath temple complex in Gorakhpur, UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched the‘Vriksharopan Mahayagya-2026’ (Massive Tree Plantation Campaign 2026). Inspired by PM Modi, the event focused on environmental conservation under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in Mother’s Name). The CM personally planted a ‘Maulshree’ sapling, inaugurated a development garden (Vikas Vatika), released a forestry calendar, and distributed saplings and cheques to beneficiaries of the CM Housing Scheme. The goal is to plant 35 crore saplings across the state with public participation.
What the Video Shows:
The post also had a 38-second video that captures the entire sequence without cuts that suggest staging. Yogi Adityanath, dressed in saffron robes, bends down on a flower-decorated stage, digs soil using a traditional shovel (phaora), carefully places the sapling into the freshly dug pit, presses the earth around its base, and then waters it with a metal pot. Multiple camera angles and continuous footage show Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath moving soil, positioning the plant and pouring water during the tree plantation drive. Senior officials, saints, and security personnel stand nearby as witnesses. The setup includes ceremonial banners, floral rangoli, and a plaque marking the occasion. No evidence of a pre-planted or artificial tree exists; the sapling is visibly handled and planted live.
Why the Claim is Baseless:
SP supporters are spreading this misinformation to undermine the BJP government’s green initiative and dent CM Yogiimage. They are spreading misinformation to get political leverage. However, the visual evidence, official documentation, and presence of multiple dignitaries confirm it was a transparent public event. The Yogi government has conducted similar plantation drives for years as part of its “Harit Uttar Pradesh” vision. Criticising genuine environmental efforts with fake narratives only exposes the Samajwadi Party’s desperation, especially when CM Yogi is famous around the nation.
Verdict: False. The video clearly shows a real, hands-on plantation ceremony.
Also Read: Yogi Govt’s Environmental Drive Cuts Arsenic Risk, Airshed Model Boosts Air Quality in UP
