Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta launches tree drive in Rohini
Synopsis
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta flipped the script on tree-planting events in Rohini — arguing that survival, not numbers, is the only metric that counts. With 500-plus Jamun saplings in the ground and a call to make this a household movement, the drive is a quiet push to hold urban greening campaigns to a higher standard of accountability.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta launched a Mega Tree Plantation Drive on 11 July at Chitragupt Park, DDA District Park, Sector-14, Rohini .
Over 500 indigenous Jamun saplings were planted, with emphasis on native species including Neem and Jamun .
The drive was organised by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with voluntary organisations.
Gupta stressed that sapling survival rate — not the number planted — is the true measure of a plantation campaign's success.
The event was linked to PM Narendra Modi 's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' national campaign.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Saturday, 11 July launched a Mega Tree Plantation Drive at Chitragupt Park, DDA District Park, Sector-14, Rohini, stressing that the survival rate of saplings — not the sheer count of trees planted — is the true measure of any green campaign's success.
What the Speaker Said
'Tree plantation is not merely an event; it is a commitment to future generations. The true success of a plantation drive lies not in the number of trees planted, but in the number that survive and flourish,' Gupta told the gathering at the park.
He drew a clear distinction between planting and nurturing: 'There is a significant difference between planting a tree and ensuring that it grows into a healthy tree. Our responsibility does not end with plantation; it begins there.' He urged citizens to tend every sapling with sustained dedication.
Key Developments at the Drive
The drive was organised by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with voluntary organisations, with a focus on environmental sustainability and community participation. Over 500 indigenous Jamun saplings were planted during the event, with deliberate emphasis on native species suited to Delhi's local ecosystem.
The programme was attended by the Deputy Director of the DDA, a Councillor, the Deputy Chairman of the Rohini Zone, representatives of social organisations, environmentalists, volunteers, and local residents.
Focus on Native Species and Long-Term Care
Gupta highlighted that native trees such as Neem and Jamun are best adapted to the local environment and should be planted extensively across Delhi. He noted that Rohini has already emerged as one of Delhi's greener localities owing to sustained public participation and long-term conservation efforts.
He called on residents to organise plantation drives in neighbourhood parks and become active stakeholders in protecting Delhi's green cover, urging the campaign to evolve from a single event into a mass movement reaching every household.
Link to PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign
The Speaker also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide initiative 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', describing it as carrying a deep emotional and cultural message — encouraging every citizen to plant and care for a tree in honour of their mother. Gupta said nurturing such a tree becomes a lasting expression of love, gratitude, and remembrance, reinforcing both family values and environmental consciousness.
With Delhi's urban green cover under sustained pressure from construction and population growth, drives of this scale — particularly those anchored in sapling survival rather than planting numbers alone — signal a shift toward accountability in civic greening efforts.
Point of View
But it raises an immediate accountability question: will the DDA publish survival-rate data for these 500-plus saplings, or will this remain a one-day event dressed as a long-term commitment? The invocation of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' adds political texture, but the real test is whether Rohini's greening model — cited as a success — comes with verifiable, independently audited numbers.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mega Tree Plantation Drive launched in Rohini?
It is a large-scale tree plantation event launched by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on 11 July at Chitragupt Park, DDA District Park, Sector-14, Rohini. Over 500 indigenous Jamun saplings were planted, organised by the Delhi Development Authority in collaboration with voluntary organisations.
Who organised the plantation drive in Rohini?
The drive was organised by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with voluntary organisations. It was inaugurated by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, and attended by DDA officials, a Councillor, the Deputy Chairman of the Rohini Zone, environmentalists, and local residents.
What did Vijender Gupta say about the success of plantation drives?
Gupta said the true success of a plantation drive lies not in the number of trees planted but in the number that survive and flourish. He stressed that citizen responsibility begins — not ends — with planting, and urged sustained care for every sapling.
Which tree species were planted and why?
Over 500 indigenous Jamun saplings were planted at the event. Gupta also highlighted Neem as a recommended native species, explaining that trees native to the local ecosystem are best suited to Delhi's environment and should be planted extensively.
How does this drive connect to PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
Speaker Gupta referenced the nationwide 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, calling it a campaign with deep emotional and cultural significance that encourages citizens to plant and nurture a tree in their mother's honour. He said the Rohini drive aligns with and reinforces that national message.
