Date: 2026-07-07Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Campaign and launched and laid the foundation stone for various development projects of the Delhi Government in New Delhi.
**Executive Summary**
On July 7, 2026, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the "Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Drive" and inaugurated several infrastructure projects to realize the vision of a "Green Delhi." Key initiatives include the rejuvenation of the Delhi Ridge, the purification of the Yamuna River, and the expansion of the city's electric bus fleet. Critical timelines include a three-year plan to transform the Ridge into the city's "lungs" and the completion of 59 new sewage treatment plants by the end of 2027.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Environmental Conservation and Plantation**
* Launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign to encourage citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers.
* Initiated the "Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Drive" to enhance Delhi's green cover.
* Introduced the Green Drive Portal and "Vriksh Rath" to provide citizens with free saplings and information on nearby nurseries.
* **Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation**
* Declared 5,000 hectares of the Ridge area as forest land, providing it with legal protection after a 30-year notification delay.
* Plans to develop a total of 6,300 hectares of the Ridge into forest land over the next four years.
* Replacement of non-native species like Babul with long-lived native trees such as Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun, and Jamun.
* Restoration of over 70 ponds, water bodies, and archaeological structures within the Ridge.
* Development of eight art-themed and specialized forests, including Nakshatra Van and Rishi Van.
* **Yamuna Purification and Waste Management**
* Established an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to process cow dung into biogas and organic manure, preventing 1,500 metric tonnes of waste from entering the Yamuna daily.
* A total of 129 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are currently operational, with 59 additional STPs scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
* **Infrastructure and Urban Development**
* Flagged off 300 new electric buses and inaugurated three newly built bus depots.
* Launched 40 automated vehicle testing centers to improve transport standards.
* Laid the foundation stone for a new High-Security Prison located in Narela.
* Finalized the Delhi Government's Working Plan Document (2026–36) and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan.
**Impact Analysis**
**Residents of Delhi**
**Impact:** Citizens will benefit from improved air quality ("lungs of Delhi"), enhanced public transport via electric buses, and better environmental protection of local heritage and water bodies.
**Action Required:** Residents are encouraged to visit the Green Drive Portal to book slots for tree plantation and utilize the "Vriksh Rath" for free saplings.
**National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)**
**Impact:** The board is now a central partner in Delhi’s waste-to-energy initiative.
**Action Required:** Execute the agreement to process cow dung into biogas and manure to ensure no waste enters the Yamuna river.
**Delhi Government and Relevant Authorities**
**Impact:** These bodies are responsible for the legal protection of the Ridge and the modernization of urban infrastructure.
**Action Required:** Authorities must ensure the completion of 59 new STPs by the 2027 deadline and implement the Working Plan Document (2026–2036).
**Environment and Forestry Departments**
**Impact:** Tasked with a massive ecological shift from invasive to native species across 6,300 hectares.
**Action Required:** Oversee the plantation of over 1 crore native plants and the restoration of 70+ water bodies and archaeological sites within the Ridge.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Campaign: A large-scale environmental initiative launched to plant 70 lakh trees to enhance the green cover of New Delhi.
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign: A nationwide environmental conservation movement that encourages citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers.
Delhi Ridge: A central ecological zone where 5,000 hectares have been declared as forest land to provide legal protection and facilitate rejuvenation.
Indian Forest Act: The legislative framework used to notify and grant legal protection to the Delhi Ridge area as forest land.
Delhi Government's Working Plan Document (2026–36): A comprehensive ten-year policy document formulated to revive the green ecosystem and biodiversity of Delhi.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit
Shah inaugurated the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation
Campaign and launched and laid the foundation
stone for various development projects of the
Delhi Government in New Delhi.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah today
launched the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation Drive under the 'Ek
Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign in Delhi.
The Home Minister planted trees at the Central Ridge and
Nanakpura Ridge, marking the beginning of the Delhi Ridge
Rejuvenation Campaign.
For years, trees that are not environmentally favourable,
including Babul had spread across the Delhi Ridge. These will
now be removed and replaced with native tree species
The final notification for the Delhi Ridge, first notified in 1994,
had remained pending for 30 years. The Delhi Government
has now declared 5,000 hectares of the Ridge area as forest
land, providing it with legal protection.
Over the next three years, the Delhi Ridge will be transformed
into the "lungs of Delhi" by planting native, long-lived tree
species such as Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun, and Jamun,
many of which can live for over a century.
Special art-themed forests will be developed in the Delhi
Ridge, while more than 70 ponds, water bodies, and
archaeological structures will also be restored and enriched.
The Delhi Government's Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy the
Yamuna rejuvenation initiative, and the Delhi Ridge
Rejuvenation Campaign will together realize the vision of aGreen Delhi.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa
Ke Naam' campaign, turning environmental conservation into
a people's movement and encouraging every citizen to plant
a tree in the name of their mother and Mother Earth
The Delhi Government's Working Plan Document (2026–36),
the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan, and
the Biodiversity Atlas together constitute a comprehensive
effort to revive the entire green ecosystem
The Home Minister said that the previous government was
allowing around 1,500 metric tonnes of cow dung to enter the
Yamuna every day, and this practice will soon be brought to
an end.
Through an agreement with the National Dairy Development
Board, biogas and organic manure will be produced from
cow dung, ensuring that not even a kilogram of cow dung
enters the Yamuna
The Delhi Government has launched the Green Drive Portal to
promote tree plantation by providing free saplings. Citizens
are encouraged to plant trees wherever land is available and
contribute to realizing the vision of a Green Delhi*
Shri Amit Shah also laid the foundation stone for the High-
Security Prison at Narela, inaugurated the Automated Vehicle
Testing Centre, inaugurated three new depots, and flagged
off 300 electric buses in Delhi.
प्रव तथ: 07 JUL 2026 5:12PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today launched the 'Mission 70 Lakh
Plantation' campaign in New Delhi and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various works of
the Delhi Government. Under the Grand Master Plan for developing Delhi, Home Minister Shri Amit
Shah launched 300 electric buses, e-inaugurated three newly built bus depots and 40 vehicle testing
centers, laid the foundation stone for a High Security Prison in Narela, and also launched a campaign to
revive the Ridge area. On this occasion, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri
Bhupender Yadav, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha
Gupta, Union Minister Shri Harsh Malhotra, and several other dignitaries were present.Addressing the event, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that many
poisonous and thorny trees are visible in Delhi's Ridge area, which create an illusion of a green Delhi
when seen, but are not favorable to our environment. He said that in 1994, 7,784 hectares of Delhi's Ridge
area were notified under the Indian Forest Act, but its final notification was not issued for 30 years. He
said the Delhi Government has taken a positive step in this direction and declared 5,000 hectares of this
area as forest land. Shri Shah said that the government is going to provide legal protection to the entire
Ridge, giving a new form to its biodiversity, soil, water, and Delhi's environment. Within three years, trees
that live for more than 100 years such as peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun will be planted
across the entire Ridge to turn it into the lungs of a green Delhi.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, by launching the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
campaign, has initiated a remarkable effort for environmental balance in the country. He said
indiscriminate tree felling has created large holes in the ozone layer, causing an imbalance in the earth's
temperature. The only way to stop this problem is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide from the earth. He said only trees can accomplish this task, and that is why Prime Minister
Modi has given the slogan 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.'
Union Home Minister appealed to people to plant trees in the name of their mothers and for Mother Earth.
This campaign, with its dual purpose, will help India move forward in the coming days. He said this
campaign has sent a message not only to India but to the entire world that development without concern
for environmental balance is pointless. Shri Shah appealed to the residents of Delhi to plant at least one
tree in their mother's name and to involve children in this effort, as they will have to carry forward the
resolve of a 'Green Delhi' in the future.
Shri Amit Shah appealed to all residents of Delhi to visit the Green Drive Portal and book their slot for
tree plantation, and to plant trees wherever land is available in nearby schools, colonies, temples, and
societies to fulfill the resolve of a green Delhi. He said that free saplings are being provided to people
through the Vriksh Rath launched by the Delhi Government, and the Nursery Locator facility also
provides information about nearby nurseries.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India and
the Government of Delhi have resolved to fully develop 6,300 hectares of green Ridge area into forest
land over the next four years and ensure its protection. This 6,300-hectare green Ridge will become the
lungs of Delhi, protecting the environment of the capital. Under this, more than 1 crore native plants, more
than 65 lakh plants that grow to become large trees, and 65 lakh other plants will be planted. He said the
Delhi Government with the help of the Government of India has prepared a Working Plan Document
(2026 to 2036). We have formulated the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan, and also
prepared Delhi's Bird Atlas. He said this is a comprehensive effort to restore the entire ecosystem.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the Ridge will have more than 70 ponds and small
restaurants, and its archaeological structures will also be preserved there. He said eight special forests will
be developed in the Ridge area including Nakshatra Van, Mel Van, Rishi Van, Tirthankar Van, Shankar
Van, Vaman Vriksha Van, and Purani Vatika. Through these, efforts will be made to connect people with
nature.
Shri Amit Shah said that they are working rapidly to fulfill the target given by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi for the purification of the Yamuna river. He said cow dung from Delhi's dairies will no
longer flow directly into the Yamuna river. Shri Amit Shah said that an agreement will soon be signed with
the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to ensure that not even one kilogram of dung enters the
Yamuna. He said the previous Delhi government used to dump 1,500 metric tonnes of dung into the
Yamuna river every day. Now, under an agreement between the Modi Government and the Delhi
Government, this dung will be processed into gas and natural manure, which will make a hugecontribution to the purification of the Yamuna river. Shri Shah said that a total of 129 sewage treatment
plants (STPs) are now operational across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and 59 new STPs are
expected to be completed by the end of 2027. These plants will deliver treated water into the Yamuna, and
it will also be ensured that the quality of water released from these plants meets all prescribed standards.
Union Home Minister said the Delhi Government has launched an Electric Vehicle (EV) policy. Through
initiatives such as Yamuna purification, the comprehensive transformation of the Ridge area, restoration of
the environmental ecosystem, and the EV policy, we will realize the vision of a greener and more
sustainable Delhi.
****
RK/PR/PS/SC
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