New Delhi, JUly 07:
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the ‘Mission 70 Lakh Plantation’ campaign in the national capital and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key infrastructure and environmental projects under Delhi’s Grand Master Plan.The initiatives include the launch of 300 electric buses, e-inauguration of three newly built bus depots and 40 vehicle testing centres, foundation stone laying for a High Security Prison at Narela, and the launch of a campaign for the revival and conservation of the Delhi Ridge.The event was attended by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, and other dignitaries.
Shah Launches ‘Mission
Addressing the gathering, Shah said the Delhi Government has taken a significant step by declaring 5,000 hectares of the Ridge area as forest land, ending decades of delay in providing legal protection to the ecologically sensitive zone. He announced that over the next three years, native trees such as peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun would be planted across the Ridge to transform it into the “lungs of a green Delhi.”Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, Shah urged every citizen to plant a tree in the name of their mother and contribute to environmental conservation. He appealed to Delhi residents to register through the Green Drive Portal and make use of the Vriksh Rath initiative and Nursery Locator facility to obtain free saplings and identify nearby plantation sites.The Home Minister said the Centre and the Delhi Government have jointly resolved to develop and protect 6,300 hectares of Ridge area as forest land over the next four years. More than one crore native plants, including 65 lakh large tree species, will be planted under a comprehensive ecological restoration plan.He also announced the preparation of the Working Plan Document (2026–2036), the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan, and Delhi’s Bird Atlas to strengthen biodiversity conservation.As part of the Ridge development, Shah said over 70 ponds, eco-friendly amenities, and the preservation of archaeological sites would be undertaken. Eight themed forests—including Nakshatra Van, Rishi Van, Tirthankar Van, Shankar Van, Mel Van, Vaman Vriksha Van, and Purani Vatika—will also be established to reconnect citizens with nature.On the Yamuna rejuvenation project, Shah said the government is taking rapid steps to fulfil Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a clean river. He announced that an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) would soon ensure that cattle dung from Delhi’s dairies is processed into biogas and organic manure instead of flowing into the Yamuna.He further said 129 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have already become operational, while 59 additional STPs will be established to ensure only treated water meeting prescribed quality standards is discharged into the river.Highlighting Delhi’s newly launched Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, Shah said initiatives such as large-scale plantation, Ridge restoration, Yamuna cleaning, and electric mobility would collectively help build a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Delhi.
