UP govt urges Hajj pilgrims to plant sapling before embarking on pilgrimage

In a bid to conserve the environment, the Uttar Pradesh government has urged over 14,000 Hajj pilgrims from the state capital to plant a sapling before embarking on the annual pilgrimage, an official said.

Secretary of UP Haj Committee Rahul Gupta said Hajj pilgrims departing from Lucknow and Varanasi have been asked to plant a sapling in their respective districts.

The scheme -- 'Ek Haji, Ek Pedh' (One Hajj pilgrim, one sapling) -- will also be applicable for 15,341 Hajj pilgrims departing from Delhi, he said.