The Delhi Government on Friday launched 18 ‘Namo Oxygen Parks’ across the national capital as part of a major environmental initiative aimed at expanding green cover, improving air quality and encouraging public participation in conservation efforts.
The parks were digitally inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a World Environment Day programme held at the Namo Oxygen Park in Maidangarhi.
The newly launched parks, spread across 185.42 acres, are designed to promote urban greening and biodiversity through plantation of indigenous tree species such as peepal, banyan, jamun and mango. According to the government, the parks will not only improve oxygen levels but also support local ecosystems and bird habitats.
The government has announced plans to develop 100 such oxygen parks across Delhi in the coming years. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had turned tree plantation into a mass movement linked to gratitude, responsibility and environmental awareness. He added that citizens should not only plant trees but also ensure their protection and growth for future generations.
CM Gupta said Delhi’s environmental initiatives had gained momentum with support from the Centre and stressed the need for community participation in conservation efforts. Referring to pollution challenges in the capital, she said the previous government had not shown required seriousness in addressing rising pollution over the years, while the present government had made environmental protection a top priority.
The CM also announced a target of planting 70 lakh trees and saplings this year, with emphasis on survival through geo-tagging and maintenance. Local caretaking committees will also be formed to help protect and maintain the parks.
During the programme, three scientific and policy documents related to Delhi’s ecosystem were released. Environmentalists, civil society groups and bird experts associated with the Delhi Bird Atlas were felicitated, while an exhibition on the Dust-Free Delhi Campaign showcased native tree species, medicinal plants and advanced dust control technologies. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the initiative would help expand green cover and strengthen Delhi’s journey towards environmental sustainability. He noted that nearly 11,000 acres of land had been notified as forest area to protect green spaces from encroachment and preserve them for future generations.
