New Delhi: The forest department will roll out a Vriksh Rath to deliver saplings for free during the monsoon and provide assistance for planting.Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a tender has been floated to procure 13 vehicles, one for each district. The vehicles will have saplings, manure, water and other materials to facilitate people who want to plant trees. The Vriksh Rath is part of the Van Mahotsav campaign, during which the city plants the majority of its yearly target of saplings. This time, Delhi govt’s 22 departments have set a target of planting 70 lakh saplings, including free distribution to the public.Officials said trucks will be procured, and forest staff will assist people in planting the saplingsSirsa said each sapling would be geo-tagged. “A dedicated monitoring system has been established through the Green Drive 2026–27 portal, where plantation details, institutional participation and progress updates will be uploaded to ensure transparency and accountability. Every planted tree will also be geo-fenced to enable real-time tracking and strengthen long-term monitoring,” he said.Delhi govt is also introducing Green Awards to recognise and honour individuals and institutions that take the best care of their trees they have planted and ensure their long-term survival. “We will not only count how many trees are planted, but also how well they are nurtured. Through the Green School Awards, we want to celebrate institutions that take genuine ownership of Delhi’s environmental future. Plantation must become a culture, not just an event,” Sirsa said.Officials said the planting effort is to start in the first half of July, coinciding with the monsoon for better survival and growth of the plants.
