New Delhi: Delhi has achieved its target of planting 70 lakh saplings under Mission Green Delhi, marking a major plantation drive across the national capital. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the campaign aimed to expand Delhi’s green cover and strengthen its ecosystem.
The initiative was launched on July 7 during Van Mahotsav by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Government departments, local bodies, schools, colleges, resident welfare associations (RWAs), NGOs and citizens participated in the campaign.
Nearly 25 Lakh Saplings Planted in Ridge Areas
Special plantation drives were conducted across the Central Ridge, DDA Ridge and South Ridge, where 24,94,505 saplings were planted.
The Ridge areas are considered important to Delhi’s ecological system. The government said plantation in these areas is expected to support ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and environmental improvement.
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Citizens Join Plantation Drive
Public participation was a major part of Mission Green Delhi. The campaign’s slot-booking facility received 1,89,116 bookings, while 1,47,095 citizens participated and planted 3,56,986 saplings.
The campaign also used the Vriksh Rath initiative to take saplings to colonies and communities. A total of 74,747 saplings were distributed through the initiative, with 21,394 planted. Government nurseries also distributed 7,61,827 saplings to citizens, institutions, organisations and communities.
Focus Now on Protecting Saplings
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said achieving the plantation target is not the end of the campaign. The next focus will be on protecting, nurturing and ensuring the survival of the newly planted saplings.
The government has urged citizens who planted or received saplings to regularly care for them so that they can grow into mature trees.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said participation from citizens, RWAs, students, NGOs and other institutions helped give the campaign a wider public character.
With the plantation target achieved, the long-term impact of Mission Green Delhi will now depend on how effectively the newly planted saplings survive and mature, strengthening Delhi’s green cover over time.
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