Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, today inaugurated eighteen Namo Oxygen Parks in New Delhi on the occasion of World Environment Day. The Union Minister also launched a series of environmental initiatives under the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global leader in environmental action.
It has achieved major milestones, including becoming one of the world’s leading nations in solar capacity addition, establishing the International Solar Alliance, launching the International Big Cat Alliance and achieving several Nationally Determined Contribution targets ahead of schedule under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the Union Minister said the campaign has transformed tree plantation into a people’s movement rooted in gratitude, responsibility and environmental consciousness. He urged citizens not only to plant trees but also to nurture and protect them for future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that increasing green cover is among the most important measures for improving Delhi’s air quality. She announced that the Delhi Government has set a target of planting 15 lakh trees across the city during the current year. Emphasising the role of citizens in environmental protection, she stated that community participation is essential not only for plantation drives but also for nurturing and safeguarding the trees after planting.
On the occasion, the dignitaries participated in a sapling plantation under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign as well as reviewed an exhibition on the local varieties of grasses and bushes under the ‘Dust-free Delhi’ campaign. During the event, three environmental publications prepared by the Delhi government were also released, which are the Working Plan for Delhi, the Asola Bhatti Sanctuary Management Plan and the Delhi Bird Atlas.
