Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated a series of green projects in New Delhi on 7 July 2026, chief among them the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation drive and the rejuvenation of the Delhi Ridge. The launch aligns with the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, which seeks to turn tree‑planting into a people’s movement.
Key Developments (July 2026)
- Planting of native, long‑lived species such as Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Arjun and Jamun across the Ridge.
- Declaration of 5,000 hectares of the Ridge as forest land, providing legal protection under the Indian Forest Act.
- Launch of the EV Policy – 300 electric buses flagged off, three new depots inaugurated and 40 vehicle‑testing centres operational.
- Foundation stone laid for a high‑security prison at Narela and an automated vehicle testing centre.
- Agreement with the National Dairy Development Board to convert all cow dung into biogas and organic manure, ending the discharge of ~1,500 metric tonnes of dung into the Yamuna daily.
- Creation of the Working Plan Document (2026‑36), Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan and a Biodiversity Atlas.
Important Facts
The Ridge will host more than 70 ponds, water bodies and archaeological structures, and eight themed forests (e.g., Nakshatra Van, Mel Van). Over the next three years, more than 1 crore native saplings and 65 lakh trees expected to reach a century‑plus lifespan will be planted. The Green Drive Portal now offers free saplings and a nursery locator for citizens.
Exam Relevance
These initiatives touch upon several GS papers:
- GS‑4 (Environment & Ecology): Restoration of the Delhi Ridge and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign illustrate urban afforestation, biodiversity conservation and climate‑mitigation strategies.
- GS‑3 (Economy & Development): The EV Policy and biogas generation from cow dung showcase sustainable transport and waste‑to‑energy economics.
- GS‑2 (Polity): Legal declaration of forest land under the Indian Forest Act demonstrates the role of central and state governments in environmental legislation.
Way Forward
For aspirants, monitor the implementation of the Working Plan Document (2026‑36) and related performance reports. Track the impact of the EV Policy on urban air quality, and assess how the biogas project with the NDDB contributes to Yamuna rejuvenation. Understanding these multi‑sectoral linkages will help answer questions on sustainable development, governance and environmental policy in the UPSC mains and prelims.