Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Bharat Vann Miyawaki Forest in Delhi's Lodhi colony
New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The New Delhi Municipal Council launched various activities including Plantation Drive, Cleanliness Drive, Public Welfare, Health and Blood Donation Camp, Deep Cleaning of underpasses and subways on Thursday.
On the occasion of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign, union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Bharat Vann through Miyawaki Method at the Lodhi Colony Park by planting a sapling along with the Chairman, NDMC Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, civic body Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal, and representative of the IIFCL.
The Miyawaki Method is one of the most effective tree planting methods for creating forest cover quickly on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction. It is effective because it is based on natural reforestation principles. Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman said, "Today, as we celebrate the Prime Minister's birthday as Seva Diwas, we have taken a significant step towards creating a Miyawaki Forest by undertaking plantation at a park in Lodhi Colony, Delhi.
With the support and guidance of Dr. R. K. Nair, this initiative aims to develop a dense, green urban forest by planting fruit-bearing and shade-giving species suited to the local environment through the Miyawaki method."
Interestingly, the technique enables rapid growth of plants, with saplings potentially reaching a height of 10 to 12 feet within about a year under suitable conditions. Once fully developed, this green space will not only provide residents with an ideal setting for morning and evening walks but also create a serene environment for yoga, meditation and other recreational activities.
Beyond enhancing the quality and beauty of the neighbourhood, the initiative will contribute to improving Delhi's urban environment by supporting cleaner air, increasing green cover and strengthening the ecological balance of the area. NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal has said that 10,000 native saplings will be planted at 'Bharat Van' using the Miyawaki method. Following the Tree Plantation drive across 14 circles of NDMC area, NDMC chairperson Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, said, "Two values that our Prime Minister has consistently emphasised are Swachhata (cleanliness) and Seva (service).
Keeping these guiding principles in mind, the New Delhi Municipal Council has launched a month-long 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign from 17 September to 17 October 2026, coinciding with his 76th birthday. He informed that NDMC will undertake a series of cleanliness and civic-engagement initiatives with active Jan Bhagidari, encouraging citizens to take responsibility for maintaining a clean, healthy and sustainable environment around them.
Dwivedi emphasize that the cleanliness efforts will extend beyond the main roads to every street, lane and sub-lane within the NDMC area. He informed that the civic body officers will personally monitor the cleanliness, maintenance and other essential requirements of public toilet facilities in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, NDMC Council Member, Anil Valmiki informed that on the occasion of the birth anniversary of PM Modi, an employee felicitation ceremony was organized at the entrance of the historic Valmiki Temple. All senior employees who are due to retire in the near future were also felicitated.
During the ceremony, 28 sanitation workers, along with employees from various other departments of the Council, were also felicitated. NDMC organised a special "Swachhta Samvad Evam Puraskar Vitaran Samaroh" today at AABV Mandir Marg, bringing together sanitation workers, students and citizens to celebrate the spirit of cleanliness, service and community participation.
