Amit Shah vows 20% increase in Gandhinagar's green cover by 2029
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (July 12, 2026) said that 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', the campaign to increase India's green cover, has
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (July 12, 2026) said that 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', the campaign to increase India's green cover, has turned into a mass movement, crucial for securing Earth's habitability for future generations. Addressing a tree plantation event and launch of development projects of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Mr. Shah pledged to increase green cover by 20% across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents, by 2029. "In no time, the campaign to plant 1.25 crore trees has transformed into a true people's movement, garnering an enthusiastic public response. Prime Minister Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree in mother's name) initiative to expand India's green cover, and it quickly evolved into a mass movement," he said. The Union Minister said that the Central Paramilitary Forces on Saturday (July 11, 2026) culminated the task of planting seven crore trees over a span of seven years, and noted that 43 lakh trees were planted in the Delhi Ridge area two days ago.
"These trees are well-suited to the local environment. They have a lifespan of at least 100 years, meaning future generations — your grandchildren — will be able to sit in their shade. Banyan and Peepal trees provide habitat and sustenance for thousands of birds, attracting a wide variety of avian species," he said. Through the AMC's five-million trees online campaign, 1,37,812 people registered to plant five saplings each. Using a systematic approach, the civic body reached out to senior citizens, with 28,544 of them pledging to plant two trees each. Shah said the campaign aims to create a greener Ahmedabad through natural means. The Union Minister further said that while his constituency, Gandhinagar, previously had 12 oxygen parks, 61 new ones were inaugurated on Sunday (July 12, 2026), bringing the total to 73 such facilities in the State capital, and the AMC has inaugurated 101 oxygen parks in a day.
"Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad cannot become green without public participation," he said, highlighting the dangers posed by the proliferation of vehicles and industries, which have increased carbon monoxide levels and caused depletion in the ozone layer that raises temperatures and reduces rainfall. "If we want to ensure the habitability of Earth for the next four generations, it is crucial to prevent further damage to the ozone layer, and for this, Prime Minister Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative is essential," he said. He noted that the green cover in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, comprising Sanand, Gandhinagar, Kalol, and Ahmedabad, has increased by 11.23%. "I pledge to increase Gandhinagar's green cover by 20% by 2029. We must all work together to achieve this increase in greenery across the constituency. As part of this campaign, wherever open space is found in housing societies, trees should be planted; this will improve the local environment," he added.
The BriefWire