New Delhi | Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Campaign in Delhi while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for several infrastructure and environmental projects aimed at transforming the capital into a greener and more sustainable city. The initiative includes large-scale afforestation, expansion of electric public transport, environmental restoration, and improvements in urban infrastructure.
As part of the programme, the Union Minister flagged off 300 electric buses, virtually inaugurated three newly constructed bus depots and 40 automated vehicle testing centres, laid the foundation stone for a High Security Prison in Narela, and launched a comprehensive campaign for the revival and protection of Delhi’s Ridge ecosystem. The event was attended by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Shah highlighted the ecological significance of Delhi’s Ridge, describing it as the city’s “lungs.” He noted that while 7,784 hectares of Ridge land were notified under the Indian Forest Act in 1994, the final notification remained pending for three decades. The Delhi Government has now declared 5,000 hectares as protected forest land, paving the way for legal safeguards and ecological restoration. Native species including peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun will be planted across the Ridge over the next three years to strengthen biodiversity and improve environmental health.
The Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Campaign complements the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah urged citizens to plant at least one tree in their mother’s name and encouraged families to involve children in plantation activities. He also invited residents to register through the Green Drive Portal and utilise free saplings distributed through the Delhi Government’s Vriksh Rath programme and nearby nurseries.
The government has also announced an ambitious plan to develop 6,300 hectares of Delhi’s Ridge into protected forest land over the next four years. The programme will involve planting more than one crore native plants, including over 65 lakh large tree species, under a comprehensive forest management strategy covering 2026–2036. Authorities have additionally prepared the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan and Delhi Bird Atlas as part of broader ecosystem restoration efforts.
Future plans for the Ridge include the development of over 70 ponds, eco-friendly visitor facilities, conservation of archaeological structures, and creation of themed forests such as Nakshatra Van, Rishi Van, Tirthankar Van, Shankar Van, Vaman Vriksha Van, and Purani Vatika, designed to reconnect citizens with nature.
Shah also outlined ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna River, announcing that the Delhi Government and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will soon sign an agreement to prevent dairy waste from entering the river. Cow dung generated by dairies will instead be processed into biogas and organic manure. He added that 129 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are already operational across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, while 59 additional STPs are expected to become functional by the end of 2027, ensuring treated water released into the Yamuna meets prescribed quality standards.
The Union Home Minister said that these initiatives, along with Delhi’s Electric Vehicle policy, represent an integrated strategy to improve air quality, restore ecosystems, modernise urban infrastructure, and support the capital’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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