AMC proposes planting of 4 million more saplings despite limited success last year

Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has proposed a new plantation drive aiming to plant 4 million saplings across the city, even as concerns remain about the survival of previous plantings. Last year, the AMC undertook a project to plant 3 million saplings, many of which are yet to fully grow.

According to AMC officials, only around 60% of the previously planted saplings survive. Despite this, the civic body and ruling party leaders are pushing ahead with the proposal, which is expected to receive approval during the upcoming meeting of the Recreation Committee.

To assess the city’s green cover, a comprehensive tree census was initiated last year. The census, being carried out at a cost of ₹8 per tree, has so far counted only 1.40 lakh (1,40,000) trees. The data collection is expected to aid in planning future environmental initiatives more effectively.

The last official tree census was conducted in 2011. Following that, the AMC had announced plans to increase Ahmedabad’s green cover from 12% to 15%. Over the past three years, more than 7 million saplings have reportedly been planted as part of this initiative.

In the 2024–25 monsoon alone, the AMC spent ₹34 crore over a span of 100 days to plant 3 million saplings.