The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has inaugurated a pioneering Digital Plantation Monitoring System aimed at ensuring the survival and growth of saplings planted during its Mega Plantation Drive 2026-27. This initiative follows specific directives issued by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, focused on the long-term viability of the planted saplings.

This monitoring system marks the first time a plantation programme of such magnitude will be overseen using a dedicated mobile application, accompanied by a Plantation Monitoring Dashboard. According to the DDA, the system facilitates the digital recording and geo-tagging of plantation activities, thereby establishing a comprehensive record of the efforts taken across the city. This approach aims to enhance transparency and accountability within the organisation.

A notable aspect of this initiative is its focus on the survival and sustained growth of the saplings, rather than solely achieving numerical goals. Responsibilities for watering, maintenance, protection, and monitoring have been assigned at the field level. The system will also systematically log plant mortality, ensuring that replacement planting occurs when necessary.

Third-Party Verification for Enhanced Transparency

The Digital Plantation Monitoring System consists of a mobile application specifically for field officers, particularly Section Officers in Horticulture, as well as a central dashboard. Field officers are responsible for uploading site-specific information and photographs from the planting sites. This data is synchronised with the central platform, allowing for continuous oversight and timely interventions in instances of delays or health issues among the planted saplings.

With reports indicating that over 50 per cent of the plantation target has already been achieved, the Plantation Monitoring Dashboard is accessible via the DDA’s official website. This online portal offers stakeholders and the public a means to track the progress of the initiative, showcasing details on saplings planted by park, including species information, geographic coordinates, and updates from ongoing field activity.

Community Involvement and Ecological Focus

This initiative has mobilised a significant volunteer network, with 13,750 individuals participating in joint plantation drives. This includes involvement from 118 Resident Welfare Associations, 18 religious organisations, 31 other government, paramilitary, and police entities, 24 schools, and 11 institutes. Such widespread participation encourages a sense of shared responsibility in enhancing Delhi’s green spaces.

By integrating technology, field accountability, public transparency, and community engagement, the DDA aims to make its greening initiative not only measurable but also outcome-oriented. This concerted effort is poised to improve not just the green cover of Delhi, but also air quality, urban biodiversity, and climate resilience.

In alignment with the Lieutenant Governor’s directives, the DDA is committed to large-scale ecological restoration using indigenous tree and shrub species. This programme is part of the ambitious 70 Lakh Plantation Mission, which was launched on 7 July 2026, by the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. The DDA has been tasked with planting 2.3 million indigenous saplings throughout the National Capital as part of this mission.

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