The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has successfully planted 50 lakh trees under its 'Mission Five Million Trees' campaign, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joining a high-profile plantation drive at Bhadaj on 8 October 2026 as part of the state government's 'Seva, Sankalp and Samarpan Abhiyan'. The milestone marks the culmination of a multi-year urban greening effort that has steadily scaled its targets since the initiative's launch.

Landmark Site With a World Record

The Bhadaj plantation plot, spread over approximately 85,000 square metres, already hosts more than one lakh trees across 66,600 square metres and features over 38 varieties of trees. The site also holds a Guinness World Record for the largest Miyawaki plantation completed in one hour — a record set in July when 3,61,617 saplings were planted at the site in 60 minutes. Plans are under way to add a Triphala Van to diversify the vegetation cover further.

Who Joined the Drive

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel interacted with citizens at the Bhadaj site before participating in the plantation. He was joined by Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, MP Dinesh Makwana, Deputy Mayor Anju Shah, Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, political leader Prerak Shah, local MLAs, and Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, along with senior officials, AMC office-bearers, and a large number of citizens.

The drive also drew participation from AMC officials, school board representatives, police personnel, NCC cadets, NGOs, and educational and social organisations — reflecting the community-wide mobilisation behind the campaign.

How the Mission Grew Over the Years

The AMC first launched its Mission Million Trees campaign in 2019, starting with a relatively modest afforestation goal. Over successive years, the civic body progressively raised its annual target, setting 50 lakh trees as the benchmark for 2026 — a tenfold expansion from the original initiative. Achieving that target signals both institutional capacity and sustained political commitment to urban environmental goals.

Notably, the Bhadaj site represents one of the larger individual locations in the AMC's wider afforestation network, serving as a flagship model for large-scale urban plantation.

What This Means for Ahmedabad's Urban Environment

Urban heat and air quality have become pressing concerns for Ahmedabad, one of India's fastest-growing cities and a frequent entrant on lists of the country's hottest urban centres. A sustained tree-cover push on this scale can, over time, moderate local temperatures, improve air particulate levels, and expand green space for residents. The inclusion of diverse native species — and a dedicated Triphala Van — points to an intent to build ecologically functional, not merely cosmetic, green infrastructure.

With the 50-lakh-tree target now achieved, attention turns to the long-term survival rate of the planted saplings and whether the AMC will announce an elevated target for the next cycle.