PM Narendra Modi to plant saplings at Anand Kanan vatika July 09th, 2019 from Times of India

The plantation of 60,000 saplings along the 78 km Panchkroshi Parikrama route , which encircles Kashi, and in the Anand Kanan Navgrah Vatika at Harahua, will provide a glimpse of the mythological forest Anand Kanan.
On July 6, Prime Minister Modi will plant saplings in a model Anand Kanan Navgrah Vatika at Harahua, along the Panchkroshi Parikrama route, as part of the total 2.60 lakhs saplings and trees being planted with the help of farmers and local residents.

Yogi government has planned reconstruction of this route at a cost of Rs 97 crore, while Rs 4 crore have already been spent on developing basic infrastructure.
The district administration as well as the local unit of the BJP are busy preparing for the plantation drive to increase the green cover in and around the city. BJP state co-in charge Sunil Oza said, “The party has pledged to make the mega plantation drive a grand success.

The drive has to be launched in the entire district to ensure plantation of over 27 lakhs saplings, but the BJP is focusing on massive plantation along the Parikrama route.”
“We have planned to plant 60,000 saplings along Panchkoshi route with the help of farmers and local residents so that bare-foot pilgrims get some relief. The PM wants Panchkoshi Parikrama route to be highlighted with Brand Kashi,” he added.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal said, “The mega plantation drive will be launched by the Prime Minister by planting saplings in Anand Kanan Nakshtra Vatika, a model garden being developed near a primary school in Harahua gram panchayat along Panchkoshi road.”
“Our target is to ensure plantation of 60,000 saplings along the Parikrama road on the same day. Farmers and local residents owining land along the road have also been mobilized for large-scale plantation on their land.

With their help, a total of 2.60 lakhs saplings and trees will be planted along the road to turn Anand Kanan into a reality,” he added. Regarding progress of the project, Agrawal said the work of pavement with cement tiles is yet to be completed while road widening and reconstruction has been done. Tourism department has been directed to prepare a proposal for improving public convenience, food outlets and other facilities along the route on public, private partnership model, he added.

The Panchkroshi Parikrama road is a stretch of 25 kos (about 50 miles/78 km) area for circumambulation surrounding the city. It has five padavs (halts) at Kandva, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur and Kapildhara. As per the Hindu calendar and tradition, Panchkoshi Yatra takes place every third year in Purushottam month.
After coming to power in the state in 2017, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced a Rs 97crore project for widening the Parikrama route and Rs 4 crore for basic infrastructure and other facilities along the road. In May 2018, Yogi had personally taken stock of the plan for revival of the route.