New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on Monday participated in the city’s ambitious 70 lakh tree plantation drive by planting a sapling in the Model Town area as part of the ongoing large-scale afforestation campaign aimed at increasing the national Capital’s green cover.

The plantation drive, which is being carried out across different parts of Delhi, seeks to promote environmental conservation through active public participation. The campaign was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 7 and has witnessed the involvement of government departments, civic agencies, resident welfare associations and citizens.

Speaking after planting the sapling, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government has been conducting plantation programmes across the city under the Mass Plantation Drive while encouraging residents to become active participants in the initiative.

“Tree plantation programmes are being carried out continuously across Delhi under the Mass Plantation Drive. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched this campaign on July 7. The Delhi Government invited public participation through a dedicated portal, where people could book time slots to take part in the plantation drive. Citizens then visited the designated locations and actively participated in planting saplings…” she said.

The Chief Minister said the initiative is aimed at making tree plantation a mass movement by enabling citizens to contribute directly to environmental protection. The government has facilitated public participation by allowing people to register through an online portal and choose convenient time slots for plantation activities at designated locations across the city.

The 70 lakh tree plantation drive forms part of Delhi’s broader efforts to improve air quality, increase green cover and promote ecological sustainability. Officials said saplings are being planted at parks, institutional campuses, roadside green belts and other identified locations with the support of various government agencies and volunteers.

The campaign has also received support from local communities and resident welfare associations, with citizens participating in large numbers to help achieve the plantation target.

Earlier on Sunday, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal led a mass plantation drive at Gole Market under the ‘#EkPedMaaKeNaam OnSunday’ campaign, which has now entered its 32nd consecutive edition.

Chahal planted saplings along with residents at the Central Government Employees RWA, Blocks 49–55, Type-III, Kali Bari Marg, Gole Market. According to an official statement, the campaign aims to transform environmental conservation into a people’s movement through public participation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the programme, Chahal also interacted with Resident Welfare Association office-bearers and local residents under the ‘Good Governance at Your Doorstep’ initiative. He heard civic grievances and directed the officials to ensure their prompt and time-bound resolution.

Addressing the gathering, Chahal said the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam On Sunday’ campaign has successfully completed 32 weeks, reflecting increasing public awareness and growing citizen participation in environmental conservation efforts.

–IANS

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