Capital plants 70 lakh saplings under Mission Green Delhi
Delhi has completed its target of planting 70 lakh saplings under “Mission Green Delhi,” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday, describing the achievement as the result of sustained efforts to expand the Capital’s green cover, strengthen its ecosystem and work toward cleaner air.
The Chief Minister said the Mega Plantation Drive-2026 was launched on July 7 this year on the occasion of Van Mahotsav by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah. With support and guidance from the Central Government, the campaign was taken forward across Delhi under close monitoring by the Delhi Government.
Delhi’s green agencies and various Government departments, along with local bodies, public institutions, non-Governmental organisations, schools, colleges, RWAs and citizens, actively participated in the campaign, which the Chief Minister said transformed “Mission Green Delhi” from a Government programme into a people’s movement.
Special plantation drives were carried out in the Central Ridge, DDA Ridge and South Ridge areas, considered important to Delhi’s ecology, with a total of 24,94,505 saplings planted across these Ridge areas.
The Chief Minister said strengthening natural green areas forms an important part of Delhi’s long-term environmental strategy, expected to support ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and environmental improvement.
The Chief Minister said achieving the 70-lakh sapling target demonstrates that major environmental goals can be met when the Government and citizens work as partners, calling every sapling planted an investment in cleaner air, greater greenery and a healthier future for children.
She said the Government’s efforts would not be limited to planting, but would give equal attention to protecting and nurturing this green wealth.
Public participation was given special importance under the mission, the CM said. Through the public slot booking facility, 1,89,116 bookings were made, with 1,47,095 citizens participating and planting 3,56,986 saplings. The “Vriksh Rath” initiative helped take saplings directly to colonies and communities, distributing 74,747 saplings and planting 21,394 of them. Additionally, 7,61,827 saplings were distributed to citizens, institutions, organisations and communities through Government nurseries.
The Chief Minister appreciated the contribution of citizens who participated in the campaign, along with green agencies, non-Governmental organisations, schools, colleges, RWAs, Delhi Police, the judiciary and other Government and public institutions.
The Chief Minister said achieving the 70 lakh sapling target marks not the end of the campaign but the beginning of a sustained effort to make Delhi greener, more climate-resilient and healthier. She said protecting every sapling planted and helping it grow is as important as planting it, appealing to all citizens who have planted or received saplings to take regular care of them and protect them until they grow into trees.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said clean air and a healthy environment are fundamental requirements for a better quality of life.
He said “Mission Green Delhi” is an important part of the broader strategy to tackle air pollution and improve Delhi’s environment, and that participation from citizens, RWAs, students, non-Governmental organisations and various institutions had given the campaign the character of a true people’s movement.
