Varanasi Creates Guinness Record With 2.51 Lakh Saplings In One Hour Under ‘Namo Van’ Drive

In the parliamentary constituency of Narendra Modi, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation carried out an unprecedented plantation campaign. In less than one hour, authorities and volunteers planted 2.51 lakh saplings, setting a new benchmark in large-scale afforestation.

More than 20,000 residents joined the initiative, demonstrating remarkable public participation. The extraordinary feat has now been formally acknowledged by Guinness World Records.

The plantation forms part of the ambitious ‘Namo Van’ project in the Domari area near the Ganga ghats in Varanasi. Spread across nearly 350 bighas of land, the urban forest aims to transform the riverfront landscape while strengthening ecological resilience.

Under the scheme, authorities are planting a total of three lakh saplings, including 2.5 lakh using the Miyawaki method, 10,000 timber trees and 40,000 fruit-bearing trees.

On 1 March 2025 alone, 2.51 lakh Miyawaki saplings were planted within sixty minutes, surpassing China’s previous record of 1.53 lakh saplings in an hour.

Integrated Green Infrastructure

Beyond the plantation, the project includes a four-kilometre walking track, a meditation and yoga plaza, a four-hectare flower park and a two-hectare herbal park.

Plans also feature a dedicated children’s play zone and an open-air gym facility. Authorities have proposed establishing a Naturopathy Plaza in a later phase.

Officials expect the urban forest to enhance biodiversity, reinforce the Ganga riverbank and improve overall ecological balance.

From the third year onwards, the Municipal Corporation anticipates generating annual revenue of around Rs 2 crore, potentially rising to Rs 7 crore by the seventh year, ensuring both environmental sustainability and financial viability.

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