Green Push in Gujarat: Amit Shah Launches Mega Plantation Drive and Development Projects

New Delhi, July 12, 2026 Combining environmental conservation with urban development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a large-scale tree plantation campaign under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Mission 5 Million Trees while unveiling a series of infrastructure projects in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The initiative reflects the government's focus on expanding green cover, promoting clean energy, and encouraging public participation in building a more sustainable future. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several other dignitaries were present during the programme. Addressing the gathering, HM Shah said more than one crore trees were planted across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in a single day, while nearly 50 lakh saplings were planted throughout Ahmedabad under the campaign. He said the drive is intended to improve air and water quality, strengthen the ecological balance, and create a healthier environment for future generations. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's environmental initiative, HM Shah said, **"Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ has quickly grown into a people’s movement, and the entire nation is embracing his mantra of ‘People, Planet with Progress’."** He also stated that the Central Armed Police Forces have planted more than seven crore trees across the country over the past seven years and noted that only native tree species with a lifespan of over 100 years are being planted to ensure long-term environmental benefits. During the event, 61 new Oxygen Parks were inaugurated in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, raising the total to 73, while Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation also opened 101 Oxygen Parks in a single day. A dedicated vehicle service for delivering saplings to residents was also introduced to encourage greater public participation. Highlighting the importance of community involvement, HM Shah said environmental campaigns can achieve lasting success only through active public participation. He expressed confidence that the ongoing plantation drive would help reduce Ahmedabad's temperature by at least five per cent compared with other cities in the coming years. He urged every citizen to plant at least one tree to help protect the environment and preserve the ozone layer. HM Shah further said that Sanand, Gandhinagar, Kalol and Ahmedabad have increased their green cover to 11.23 per cent and are aiming to raise it to 20 per cent by 2029. He also encouraged residents to adopt rooftop solar energy, noting that the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency currently has the highest number of rooftop solar installations among all parliamentary constituencies in the country. Alongside the plantation campaign, HM Shah inaugurated 22 development projects and laid the foundation stones for seven more projects in Ahmedabad. He said the induction of 325 new AMTS and BRTS buses would significantly reduce carbon emissions and ensure that the city's public transport system is free from polluting buses. He also said development works worth ₹28,492 crore have been completed across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, including projects in Ghatlodia, Vejalpur, Sabarmati, Naranpura, Sanand, Gandhinagar North and Kalol. Concluding his address, the Home Minister urged every neighbourhood, housing society and household to contribute towards increasing green cover and embracing rooftop solar installations, reinforcing the vision of a cleaner, greener and more sustainable India.