Target of planting 70 lakh saplings under Mission Green Delhi achieved: CM Gupta

The Delhi government has achieved its target of planting 70 lakh saplings under its ‘Mission Green Delhi’ campaign, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday.

The campaign, launched during Van Mahotsav on July 7, saw participation from government departments, local bodies, schools, colleges, resident welfare associations (RWAs), NGOs and citizens, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

Gupta said the achievement was not merely about meeting a numerical target but aimed at expanding Delhi’s green cover and strengthening its ecosystem.

A total of 24,94,505 saplings were planted in the Central Ridge, DDA Ridge and South Ridge areas as part of the campaign, the government said.

The campaign also saw significant public participation, with 1,89,116 bookings made through a public slot booking facility. Of these, 1,47,095 citizens participated and planted 3,56,986 saplings, it said.

Under the ‘Vriksh Rath’ initiative, 74,747 saplings were distributed to colonies and communities, of which 21,394 were planted, while 7,61,827 saplings were distributed to citizens, institutions, organisations and communities through government nurseries.

Also Read: Manipuri musician’s killing: Northeastern students in Delhi describe daily racism

Gupta said the next phase of the campaign would focus on ensuring the survival and growth of the saplings and she appealed to citizens to regularly nurture and protect the plants.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the participation of citizens, RWAs, students, NGOs and various institutions had given the campaign the character of a people’s movement.

He said the government’s focus would now be on the survival, protection and nurturing of the saplings planted under the campaign to ensure their long-term environmental benefits.