The Union Environment Minister, Shri Bhupender Yadav, chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to assess preparations for large-scale plantation efforts aimed at increasing green cover across the NCR. Senior officials from the Ministry and forest departments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh attended the meeting. The Minister called for a scientifically planned, technology-backed and convergence-driven district-wise strategy that includes both rural and urban land, covering forest areas, revenue lands, public spaces and parcels held by urban local bodies.

States were asked to map degraded forests, catchment zones, wetlands, river stretches, community forests, protected areas, Nagar Vans, nurseries and all related agencies to support a coordinated greening programme. Eco-clubs and regional centres of the National Museum of Natural History are to be integrated into awareness and plantation activities. States agreed to undertake spatial analysis and prepare district-level action plans identifying plantation locations, activities and responsible stakeholders.

The Minister also directed States to prepare five-year Micro Plans reflecting annual plantation targets, implementing agencies, community involvement, nursery capacity, and funding sources including the Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana, Compensatory Afforestation Fund, MGNREGA and Green Credit Programme. Plans must also address invasive species and eco-restoration priorities. He emphasised inter-departmental convergence and review of ongoing litigations to minimise regulatory hurdles.

FSI has been asked to provide detailed data on degraded forest land and invasive species for planning purposes, while States have been told to list degraded parcels on the GCP portal to enable wider participation in restoration efforts. The Ministry will consolidate all district Micro Plans into a Five-Year Greening Plan for the NCR to support coordinated implementation alongside CAQM’s environmental objectives. A follow-up meeting will be held to review progress.