Delhi says Mission Green Delhi has reached its 70 lakh-sapling target

Delhi’s Mission Green Delhi has reached its stated target of planting 70 lakh saplings, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday.

The campaign began on July 7 and involved government departments, local bodies, schools, colleges, resident welfare associations, NGOs and residents. The government had said in August that it had planted 50 lakh saplings, leaving 20 lakh to meet the annual target.

The largest named plantation drives were held in the Central Ridge, DDA Ridge and South Ridge, where 24,94,505 saplings were planted, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. A public slot-booking facility received 1,89,116 bookings; 1,47,095 participants planted 3,56,986 saplings.

Gupta said the next focus would include protecting and maintaining the newly planted saplings. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited residents, RWAs, students, NGOs and other institutions for taking part in the campaign.