Purna Singh New Delhi

TheDelhi government has announced an ambitious plan to plant 70 lakh saplings under the Delhi Mega Tree Plantation Campaign 2026, a citywide initiative aimed at expanding green cover, improving air quality and encouraging mass public participation through a technology-enabled platform.

Launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the campaign draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative and seeks to transform tree plantation into a citizen-led environmental movement.

Residents will be able to register online and collect saplings free of cost from designated nurseries during the monsoon season.

Reviewing preparations at the Delhi Secretariat, Gupta said the campaign would not be a routine government exercise but a people-centric mission driven by community participation.

She emphasized that the success of the programme would depend on citizens taking ownership of environmental conservation.

A major feature of the initiative is the e-Forest Green Drive Portal, which will function as the central platform for registration and monitoring.

Citizens can register using their mobile number, name and address, book plantation slots, obtain free saplings and geo-tag plantation sites. Participants will also be able to upload photographs of planted trees and receive a digital “Paryavaran Rakshak” certificate signed by the Chief Minister.

The campaign has been divided into three phases. The first phase will begin on June 22 with the online launch, release of a promotional video and awareness drives involving educational institutions, religious organisations and social groups until July 4.

The second phase, scheduled for the first week of July, will focus on Delhi’s ridge areas. Around 2.5 lakh saplings will be planted across key ecological zones including PBG Ground, Central Ridge, South Central Ridge and Nanakpura Ridge to strengthen biodiversity and urban green lungs.

The flagship third phase will be held in the second half of July at Swarna Jayanti Park, Rohini, linked live with 51 locations across Delhi. Nearly 11,000 people are expected to plant saplings simultaneously across all 70 Assembly constituencies and 13 districts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been invited to participate.