Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches Green Drive Portal for 70 lakh saplings
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on 2 July launched the Green Drive Portal at the Delhi Secretariat under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, committing the city government to planting 70 lakh saplings across the national capital. The portal, accessible at greendrive.delhivanmahotsav.in, is designed to bring citizens directly into the plantation drive through four free civic services.
What the Portal Offers
Residents can use the portal to book slots for the Mega Plantation Drive, selecting a preferred location and time. A built-in nursery locator helps citizens identify the nearest government nursery to collect free saplings. Individuals can also register as an Environmental Saviour, becoming officially recognised Green Warriors connected to the government's year-round environmental programmes.
The fourth service — the Vriksh Rath initiative — deploys expert teams from the Forest Department to deliver free saplings, equipment, and technical assistance directly to homes, schools, offices, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and housing societies that have available planting space.
Species Focus and Oxygen Parks
The plantation drive will prioritise native and long-living tree species, including Peepal, Banyan, Gular, Neem, Arjun, and Jamun. In parallel, the Delhi government plans to develop 100 Oxygen Parks across the city as part of the broader green initiative.
Constituency-Level Coverage
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the portal has mapped plantation sites across all 70 Assembly constituencies, enabling residents to book slots by constituency or specific location. He added that the campaign encourages greening beyond designated sites — covering homes, educational institutions, and rooftop gardens wherever space permits.
The Larger Push
Chief Minister Gupta urged every Delhiite to participate in the mass plantation drive, framing it as a collective step toward a greener, cleaner, and healthier capital. This comes amid persistent air quality concerns in Delhi, where seasonal pollution spikes have made urban tree cover a recurring policy priority. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign — a nationally echoed theme — gives the drive both civic and emotional resonance, broadening its public appeal beyond traditional environmental messaging. All four portal services are offered free of charge, lowering the barrier for citizen participation across income groups.