On 5 June 2026 (World Environment Day), 18 ‘Namo Oxygen Parks’ were inaugurated in South Delhi. The initiative marks the launch of the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign in the National Capital Territory, emphasizing a citizen-led environmental movement to expand urban green cover and combat pollution.
Key Urban Greening Initiatives
- Namo Oxygen Parks: Part of a 100-park blueprint, these spaces focus on native, oxygen-generating species to mitigate urban heat and improve air quality. A community-led model ensures local residents actively maintain these assets.
- Scientific Governance Frameworks:
- 10-Year Working Plan (2026-37): A statutory roadmap for wetland protection, green building designs, and tree protection protocols.
- Asola Bhatti Management Plan: Focuses on habitat restoration, visitor carrying-capacity models, and converting abandoned mining pits into wildlife water bodies.
- Delhi Bird Atlas: A citizen-science effort mapping regional avifauna distribution and seasonal movements.
- Pollution Control: Implementation includes the Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), mechanized road sweeping, and a shift toward electric mobility. 21% of the Delhi budget is dedicated to green projects, with a 2026 target of 15 lakh saplings.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- World Environment Day: Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 (Stockholm Conference).
- Aravalli Ridge: Acts as a critical barrier against desertification from Rajasthan; Asola Bhatti forms its southern component.
- CAQM: A statutory body (est. 2021) that replaced the EPCA for air quality management in the NCR.
- Miyawaki Method: A technique to create dense, rapid-growth native forests in small urban plots.
- Ramsar Milestone: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (UP) was designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site in June 2026.