Delhi Launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign, Sets Target of Planting 70 Lakh Saplings

Delhi is set to witness one of its largest environmental initiatives as the city prepares to launch the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign on June 22. With an ambitious target of planting 70 lakh saplings across the national capital, the campaign aims to strengthen Delhi’s green cover, improve air quality, and encourage citizens to actively participate in environmental conservation.

Announcing the initiative, Delhi’s Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the campaign is being launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The initiative seeks to transform tree plantation into a mass movement by connecting it with an emotional message that encourages people to dedicate a tree in the name of their mothers.

The campaign will officially begin with the launch of the e-Forest Green Drive Portal and the release of an official awareness video. The portal is expected to become a central platform for citizens who wish to participate in the plantation drive. Through the platform, residents will be able to register themselves, receive free saplings, and contribute to the city-wide effort to increase green spaces.

To ensure maximum public participation, the Delhi government will also roll out an extensive digital and social media awareness campaign. Through online outreach, educational content, and community engagement activities, officials hope to encourage people from all walks of life to become part of the initiative.

One of the unique aspects of the campaign is its focus on citizen involvement. Participants who plant a sapling and register their contribution will receive a ‘Paryavaran Rakshak’ e-Certificate, recognizing their role in protecting the environment. The government believes that such recognition will motivate more individuals, families, schools, and organizations to participate actively.

The plantation drive has been planned in multiple phases throughout the monsoon season. During the first week of July, a Mega Ridge Plantation Campaign will be organized in ecologically important areas to enhance green cover and support biodiversity. The Delhi Ridge, often referred to as the city's green lung, plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, making it a key focus area for plantation activities.

In mid-July, a large-scale public plantation programme will be organized at Swarn Jayanti Park in Rohini. The event is expected to witness participation from government departments, educational institutions, environmental groups, resident welfare associations, volunteers, and citizens. Such community-driven events are intended to create a sense of collective responsibility toward environmental protection.

The significance of the campaign goes beyond simply planting trees. Delhi has long faced environmental challenges, including air pollution, rising temperatures, and the effects of rapid urbanization. Experts have consistently emphasized the importance of increasing urban green cover as a natural solution to many of these issues. Trees help absorb carbon dioxide, reduce dust and pollutants, provide shade, lower surrounding temperatures, and support local biodiversity.

According to Minister Sirsa, the initiative is designed not only to make Delhi greener but also to inspire a lasting environmental consciousness among citizens. By encouraging people to plant and nurture trees, the campaign hopes to create a stronger connection between communities and nature.

As Delhi prepares for the launch of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, the government is optimistic that the initiative will become a landmark environmental movement. With the participation of lakhs of citizens and the plantation of 70 lakh saplings, the campaign has the potential to make a meaningful contribution toward building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the capital and its coming generations.