Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday, 5 June, inaugurated 18 Namo Oxygen Parks across Delhi and launched several green initiatives on World Environment Day 2026.
The event was held at Namo Oxygen Park in Maidangarhi under the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
The initiative is aimed at expanding urban green spaces, improving air quality and encouraging community participation in environmental conservation.
Yadav said climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation are among the major environmental challenges before humanity.
He said India has taken several steps in clean energy, wetland protection, biodiversity conservation and climate action.
He also said environmental protection cannot depend only on government action and needs active public participation. Referring to ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, he urged citizens to not only plant trees but also protect and nurture them.
The Environment Minister said the Delhi Government, along with the Commission for Air Quality Management, is working on key pollution sources such as road dust, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.
The measures include online emission monitoring systems, air pollution control devices, mechanised road cleaning and faster adoption of electric mobility.
The 18 Namo Oxygen Parks have been developed as urban green lungs for Delhi.
The ministry said these parks are expected to improve air quality, support biodiversity and provide recreational spaces for citizens.
Three environmental documents were also released during the event. These include the Working Plan Document for the National Capital Territory of Delhi for 2026-27 to 2036-37, the Management Plan for Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary for 2024-25 to 2034-35, and the Delhi Bird Atlas.
The Working Plan provides a 10-year framework for environmental governance and conservation in Delhi.
The Asola Bhatti plan gives a roadmap for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of one of Delhi’s key biodiversity reserves. The Delhi Bird Atlas has been prepared through citizen science efforts involving birdwatchers, naturalists and volunteers.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said increasing green cover is one of the important steps for improving Delhi’s air quality.
She announced that the Delhi Government has set a target of planting 15 lakh trees across the city this year.
