Delhi says 50 lakh saplings planted, 20 lakh short of annual target

Nearly 50 lakh saplings have been planted across Delhi under the annual plantation drive, leaving about 20 lakh to meet the government’s target of 70 lakh.

The Forest Department, Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other agencies are involved in the drive. The latest count was announced at a mass plantation programme at the President’s Bodyguard parade ground in the Central Ridge, held as part of the Delhi Mega Plantation Drive 2026 and the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the effort was intended to involve residents in planting and caring for trees. The government said around 1.78 lakh people had registered on the campaign portal and about 1.54 lakh had taken part.

Saplings are being geo-tagged and monitored. A QR-code-based system is also being developed so residents can track the growth of trees they have planted, building on the DDA’s digital sapling-monitoring system.