New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Inaugurating 18 "Namo Oxygen Parks", Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced plans to plant more than 15 lakh saplings and hit out at the previous governments for not taking serious measures to improving the city's environment. She jointly inaugurated the "Namo Oxygen Parks" with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and launched a series of environmental initiatives under the nationwide campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on the occasion of World Environment Day 2026, a statement said.

Union Minister Yadav said the 18 Namo Oxygen Parks have been developed and inaugurated in Delhi to serve as urban green lungs that improve air quality, enhance biodiversity and provide recreational spaces for citizens. Chief Minister Gupta called upon citizens to join the green drive to plant 15 saplings in a long-term sustained manner. She suggested creation of local caretaking committees to nurture the saplings so that these grow into trees that clean the environment.

She said the Delhi government is just over a year old and during this period Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav have given valuable guidance on combating pollution. The event, held at Namo Oxygen Park in Maidangarhi, marked a significant step towards strengthening urban greening, improving air quality, and promoting community-led environmental stewardship in the National Capital Territory, a statement said.

In a message on social media platform X, Chief Minister Gupta said, "On the occasion of World Environment Day, in the dignified presence of the Union Minister Bhupender Yadav ji, the Mega Plantation Drive was inaugurated, and 18 Namo Oxygen Parks were dedicated to the residents of Delhi." "I urge all Delhi residents to join the esteemed Prime Minister @narendramodiji's 'One Tree in the Name of Mother' campaign, plant a sapling, care for it, and become a part of the Green Delhi Mission," she added.

In another video message, the Chief Minister said that this year the Delhi government will take pro-active measures to counter pollution, including wall-to-wall carpeting of all the roads to check dust clouds. Earlier, Union Minister Yadav said that the Delhi government, in coordination with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), is taking active measures to address major sources of air pollution, including road dust, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.

He added that these measures include installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems, deployment of Air Pollution Control Devices, mechanised deep cleaning of roads and accelerated transition towards electric mobility. The Union Minister noted that urban greening initiatives are being undertaken across the country through the development of Namo Vans and similar ecological assets.