The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, July 24: Reinforcing the Delhi Government’s commitment to environmental conservation under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, a plantation drive was carried out by the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, Rajeev Verma, along with senior officers of the Delhi Government in the presence of Minister for Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, today at PBG Ground in the Delhi Ridge. The senior officials participated enthusiastically in the drive by planting saplings as part of the Government’s ambitious green campaign.
The mega plantation campaign is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, a unique initiative that combines environmental responsibility with a tribute to mothers. Addressing the gathering, Minister Sirsa said that Delhi is witnessing one of its largest-ever plantation campaigns, with a target of planting 70 lakh trees and saplings across the city this year. The Hon’ble Minister further said that, inspired by the vision of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, 15 lakh trees and saplings are being planted across the Ridge and other identified green areas under a comprehensive eco-restoration programme aimed at strengthening Delhi’s ecological balance.
Minister Sirsa stated that the Delhi Government is ensuring that every tree planted is scientifically monitored through geo-tagging and nurtured to ensure its long-term survival. He said the objective is not merely to increase plantation numbers but to create a sustainable green legacy for future generations.
The Minister said that the Delhi Government has prepared a comprehensive 10-year plantation strategy focused on expanding the Capital’s green cover through native species that provide greater shade, generate more oxygen, require less water and contribute significantly to reducing pollution. The Hon’ble Minister added that every sapling planted under the campaign is being geo-tagged to enable scientific monitoring and ensure long-term survival.
The mega plantation drive represents the Government’s larger commitment to securing Delhi’s environmental future. The Hon’ble Minister said that the ambitious target of planting 70 lakh trees this year reflects the Delhi Government’s resolve to build a cleaner, greener and healthier Capital through active public participation.
Highlighting the overwhelming response to the campaign, the Minister said that people from every section of society have joined the movement, including members of the judiciary, government officials, diplomats from over 70 countries, educational institutions, religious organisations and citizen groups. The Hon’ble Minister said the wide participation reflects the Government’s vision of transforming environmental conservation into a true people’s movement.
Highlighting the Delhi Government’s parallel mission to eliminate the Capital’s long-standing garbage mountains, Minister Sirsa described it as one of the largest environmental restoration exercises undertaken in the city. The Hon’ble Minister said that nearly 60 percent of Delhi’s legacy waste has already been cleared over the last one-and-a-half years, reclaiming large stretches of land that are now being transformed into green spaces through plantation and ecological restoration.
Minister Sirsa said that the scientific remediation of Delhi’s legacy garbage mountains and the large-scale plantation drive are complementary initiatives transforming the Capital’s environment. He said that while thousands of tonnes of waste are being cleared every day and reclaimed sites are being converted into green spaces, the simultaneous expansion of Delhi’s green cover is laying the foundation for a cleaner, healthier and pollution-free city.
The Minister also appreciated the invaluable support extended by the Delhi Government officials in ensuring that Delhi transforms itself into a clean, green world-class metropolis.
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