The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has launched an ambitious urban afforestation programme targeting nearly 23 lakh native saplings — comprising trees, shrubs, and bushes — across the National Capital, an official confirmed on Thursday, 11 June. The drive, set to begin in the first week of July, is being undertaken at the direction of Lieutenant Governor and DDA Chairperson T.S. Sandu.

Scale and Scope of the Drive

The plantation programme will span approximately 1,000 acres — equivalent to nearly 4 square kilometres — across multiple locations in Delhi. Sites include 675 DDA parks, four Ridge areas — South Central Ridge, Nanakpura Ridge, Central Ridge, and Northern Ridge — along with six biodiversity parks, urban forests, Yamuna floodplain areas, and roadside and drain-side green corridors.

The initiative is expected to bring nearly 2.9 per cent of Delhi's total geographical area under a focused urban afforestation and ecological restoration programme.

Species Selection and Ecological Goals

The drive places special emphasis on native and climate-resilient species, chosen for their capacity to enhance biodiversity, strengthen carbon sequestration, improve microclimatic regulation, and boost ecological connectivity across Delhi's green systems. According to the official statement, the plantation is also expected to contribute to improvements in air quality, groundwater recharge, and habitat creation.

Notably, particular attention is being directed toward protecting Delhi's Ridge ecosystem and Aravalli landscapes — ecologically sensitive zones that have faced sustained pressure from urbanisation over recent decades.

Preparatory Work Already Underway

Groundwork for the drive is already in progress, including site identification and demarcation, soil preparation and pit digging, development of irrigation arrangements, and strengthening of nursery stocks. Species selection is being guided by ecological suitability assessments, and maintenance and monitoring mechanisms are being planned to ensure long-term survival of the plantations.

The plantation activities are scheduled to run from the first week of July through mid-September 2025, aligning with the monsoon season — the optimal window for sapling survival in Delhi's climate.

Oversight and Monitoring

Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandu has reportedly indicated that he and his office will personally monitor the drive as it progresses. The DDA has framed the initiative as part of a broader push to expand Delhi's green footprint and strengthen its ecological infrastructure under LG Sandu's direction.

This comes amid growing concern over Delhi's deteriorating air quality and shrinking green cover, with urban afforestation increasingly viewed as a structural, long-term complement to pollution-control measures. Whether the drive's survival and maintenance targets are independently verified will determine its real ecological impact.