City ropes in religious institutions for large-scale plantation initiative

New Delhi: The Delhi Government has launched a citywide plantation initiative involving religious institutions as part of its ambitious plan to plant over 70 lakh trees, shrubs, and hedges, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Friday.

The initiative, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, aims to expand green cover and combat air pollution by utilizing spaces within temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and other religious premises. Officials said saplings will be provided free of cost by the Forest Department, along with horticulture wings of civic bodies including MCD, NDMC, and DDA.

Chairing a high-level meeting with representatives of religious institutions and senior officials, Sirsa emphasized the importance of community participation in environmental conservation. “Religious institutions have always been the backbone of our cultural and moral fabric. If we come together to plant trees within these spaces, we can transform Delhi’s environment while spreading awareness at the grassroots level,” he said.

Highlighting the broader vision, the minister added, “Our aim is simple, maximize plantation in spaces where people gather, pray, and connect with nature. When trees grow in these sacred spaces, they not only improve air quality but also reinforce our traditional respect for nature.”

The campaign builds on the success of previous plantation drives, including Van Mahotsav 2025, and will be implemented in phases, with a major push during the monsoon season in July to ensure higher survival rates.

A monitoring system will track progress through an official portal, ensuring transparency and accountability in execution.