Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched an ambitious mission to plant 70 lakh saplings across the national capital under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, aiming to significantly expand Delhi’s green cover and strengthen environmental conservation efforts. The large-scale plantation initiative is part of the Centre’s broader strategy to improve air quality, restore ecological balance and encourage public participation in protecting the environment.
Speaking at the launch event, Mr Shah described the campaign as an important step towards creating a cleaner and greener Delhi. He said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making environmental protection a people’s movement by encouraging every citizen to plant a tree in the name of their mother.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam to Boost Delhi’s Green Cover
The Home Minister appealed to citizens from all walks of life to actively participate in the campaign and contribute to increasing the city’s green cover. He said environmental conservation cannot be achieved through government efforts alone and requires collective participation from society.
Highlighting the campaign’s objectives, Mr Shah said the Delhi Government is also working on multiple initiatives to improve the city’s environmental health. He noted that 129 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have become operational over the past year, ensuring that treated water is released into the Yamuna River instead of untreated sewage.
He said these measures form part of the government’s larger strategy to restore the river’s ecological health while reducing pollution levels in the national capital.
Delhi Ridge Revival and Green Mobility in Focus
Mr Shah emphasised that the revival of the Delhi Ridge, often referred to as the city’s “green lungs”, remains a key priority under the environmental programme. He announced that nearly 5,000 hectares of the Ridge have now been officially notified as forest land, a move expected to strengthen long-term conservation efforts and protect biodiversity.
The Home Minister also highlighted the Delhi Government’s recently introduced Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, saying it reflects the administration’s commitment to promoting sustainable transport and reducing vehicular emissions. He noted that the combined focus on afforestation, clean mobility and pollution control would contribute significantly towards building a greener and healthier Delhi.
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 as a nationwide environmental initiative encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers. Since its launch, the campaign has witnessed participation from government departments, educational institutions, corporate organisations and millions of citizens across the country. The initiative combines environmental protection with an emotional message, making tree plantation a community-driven movement.
Environmental experts have consistently stressed that increasing urban green cover plays a crucial role in improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects and enhancing groundwater recharge. In Delhi, where seasonal air pollution remains a major concern, large-scale plantation drives are considered an important component of long-term environmental planning alongside cleaner fuels, better waste management and improved public transport.
Mr Shah reiterated that environmental protection is a shared responsibility and urged every resident of Delhi to contribute by planting and nurturing at least one sapling. He said sustained public participation, combined with government initiatives such as the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, Yamuna rejuvenation projects and forest conservation efforts, would help create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for the national capital.
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