Delhi CM plants Sindoor tree sapling to kick off phase 2 of plantation drive
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday kicked off the second phase of Delhi's plantation campaign, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 (A tree for your mother), by planting a Sindoor tree (bixa orellana) sapling at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Shalimar Bagh, alongside education minister Ashish Sood.
'This is more than an environmental campaign — it's an emotional, cultural and social commitment to our mothers, our motherland, and Mother Nature,' Gupta said.
The launch comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nationwide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative on World Environment Day by planting a banyan sapling in Delhi's Mahavir Vanasthali Park. The campaign encourages people to plant trees in honour of their mothers — symbolic of the nurturing power of both motherhood and nature.
Taking a dig at her predecessors, Gupta said the previous AAP-led government 'rejected people-centric programmes simply because they were centrally sponsored', even viewing environmental campaigns through a political lens.
Gupta announced an ambitious target of planting 70 lakh (seven million) trees this year, calling it the 'most effective and accessible way' to fight pollution. 'This isn't just a plantation drive — it's a pledge of gratitude to our mothers and a shared responsibility to heal the earth. The Delhi government is committed to turning this into a people's movement,' she said.
The CM urged Delhi residents to plant trees in every available space — from roadside medians to under flyovers — and called on schools, government departments, religious institutions, civil society groups, and corporates to help turn the campaign into a mass movement.
'The Delhi government has officially rolled out this campaign, with every department, school, and institution set to take part,' CM Gupta said. 'I urge every Delhiite — individuals, organisations, communities — to plant a tree in the name of their mother, motherland, or Mother Nature, and help turn this into a collective green movement.'
'Let's revive the traditions that once placed neem, peepal, and banyan trees in every courtyard — not just for religious reasons, but because they made ecological sense,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
City's Green Space Gets A Welcome Addition
New Delhi: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena and chief minister Rekha Gupta jointly inaugurated the redeveloped Sadbhavana Park, a grand addition to north Delhi's green urban spaces, on Tuesday. Parallel to the Walled City on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Sadbhavana Park is spread across 11 acres of redeveloped green space. Intended to emphasise geometrical forms and designed as a formal garden to balance the gardens in the Samadhi complex on the east side of Ring Road, Sadbhavana Park will provide open recreational avenues to citizens, especially those living in Daryaganj and nearby old Delhi localities. Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, chief secretary Dharmendra, and senior officers from Delhi Development Authority were also present at the inauguration. The key features of the park are the chariot fountains, baradari, sculpture fountains, formal lawns and the shaded eating plaza. According to officials, the park has white marble pathways and sculptures contrasting with the linear green areas divided into lawns and low-maintenance plantation zones, which provide a sense of grandeur. A sculpture of five white horses driven by a sarathi, set in a circular water pond with fountains, adorns the park as a unique feature in Delhi's landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Additionally, four magnificent sculptures of Yakshinis, crafted by Sudarshan Sahoo, a Padma Vibhushan-winning sculptor, have been installed within the linear lawns. These artworks enhance the park's beauty and offer a serene space for people to relax. A clock tower, currently under construction, will further enhance the park's aesthetic appeal. A food van, proposed to be opened near the parking, will attract visitors and enhance their leisure experience. At the inauguration on Tuesday, LG and CM planted moulsari saplings at the centre of the baradari. Other officers planted the Pride of India saplings along the designed pathways. The plantation of these trees and saplings will contribute not only to the beauty of the area but also contribute to air quality and ecological balance for the benefit of the community. Delhi Development Authority said in a statement that white balloons were released into the sky as a symbol of Sadbhavana (goodwill). "Under the consistent guidance of LG, the Sadbhavana Park was conceptualised as part of a scheme to decongest the Kartavya Path lawns. It is a part of a larger landscape redevelopment project comprising three parks along Mahatma Gandhi Road. The project aims to become a vibrant urban hub where visitors can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the amenities of a well-maintained park," the statement said. Kranti Udyan, the first park in the series, was inaugurated in Jan. Sadbhavana Park, the second, followed five months later. The scheme integrates a green belt spread over a 35-acre area, running around 1.7km in length along Ring Road.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Atishi slams BJP over Bhoomiheen camp demolition, says party has betrayed promises
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Minister Atishi on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of betraying its election promises, alleging that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is going to demolish huts in the Bhoomiheen Camp area of Kalkaji tomorrow (on June 11) without allotting flats to all eligible residents. Speaking at a press conference shortly after being detained and released by Delhi Police during anti-demolition protests, Atishi claimed the DDA and police forcibly evicted residents on Tuesday, despite earlier assurances by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta that no jhuggi (slum dwelling) would be demolished. 'Just two days ago, the Chief Minister said no jhuggi is being or will ever be demolished in Delhi. That lie has now been exposed. Today, in Bhoomiheen Camp, police, CRPF, and other forces surrounded the area and began forcefully removing people from homes where they have lived for 30 to 50 years. Their children study and work here,' she said. Atishi pointed to the availability of DDA flats nearby, alleging that while over 3,000 flats have been constructed, some as close as 500 meters from the site, only about 1,800 have been allotted. 'If homes are being demolished, where will these people go? The DDA has built 3,024 flats, but only 1,832 have been allotted so far. Why haven't the remaining flats been given to the jhuggi residents? BJP had promised 'jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan' (where there's a hut, there'll be a home), but more than half the people haven't received anything,' she said. She also questioned the Delhi government's claim that it is merely complying with court orders. Atishi alleged that when the residents approached the Delhi High Court seeking flats, the DDA and government opposed them and instead advocated for demolition. 'The court's order came after the BJP-led DDA and government told the court that these jhuggis should be razed. Now they are hiding behind the court's order,' Atishi said. A resident of the Bhoomiheen Camp also spoke at the press conference, alleging that while the government claims over 1,000 people have been allotted flats, many families were left out of the official survey and denied allotments. 'Our matter was in the Delhi High Court. The government says 1,029 people have been given flats, but they hid the fact that over 100 people were not even included in the survey. That's why we went to court. Though we got a stay initially, government lawyers opposed us, and we didn't get further time from the court,' the resident said. Earlier in the day, while participating in an anti-demolition protest, Atishi said, 'BJP is going to demolish these jhuggis tomorrow, and I am being jailed today because I am raising my voice for these slum dwellers. 'BJP aur Rekha Gupta ko jhuggi waalon ki haay lagegi.' ... BJP will never come back.' On Monday, June 9, the DDA issued notices to residents of Bhoomiheen Camp in Kalkaji Extension, directing them to vacate their premises within three days, June 8, 9, and 10, following High Court orders for the demolition of illegal structures. According to the notice, residents have been asked to vacate voluntarily within three days. The notice states that failure to comply will lead to demolition action by the authorities. 'Any belongings left inside the huts during demolition will be removed, and the agency will not be held responsible for any damage or loss to personal property,' the DDA notice read. It also urged residents to maintain peace and cooperate with officials to ensure a smooth and orderly process. (ANI)
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
CM calls on PM Modi; apprises him on development work under way
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and briefed him on the development work being carried out by her government in the Capital. After the meeting, Ms. Gupta, in a statement, said that Mr. Modi shared his vision and plans for Delhi's growth, which will provide a renewed direction and momentum to the city's developmental efforts. The CM said she told Mr. Modi that cleaning and making Delhi greener are the top priorities for her government. Ms. Gupta said she apprised Mr. Modi of the waste management being improved through the adoption of modern technology and 70 lakh saplings to be planted this year to increase the green cover in the Capital, besides the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign already under way. She said that her government has been encouraging people to visit sites in Delhi, such as the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial and the Prime Minister's Museum. 'Awareness campaigns will be launched to educate people about the historical importance and significance of these sites. These campaigns will also be promoted through social media,' added Ms. Gupta.
