AMC Plants 50 Lakh Trees, Hits Mission Five Million Target

By Amdavad Gully News Desk · Ahmedabad · Published 8 October 2026

Quick answer: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has reached its target of planting 50 lakh (5 million) trees under Mission Five Million Trees, as per a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office reported by ANI on 8 October 2026. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked the milestone at a plantation drive in Bhadaj. There, AMC has planted more than one lakh trees of over 38 varieties. They cover about 66,600 sq m of an 85,000 sq m plot. AMC began its tree mission in 2019, and it has raised the yearly target almost every year since.

AMC Plants 50 Lakh Trees, Hits Mission Five Million Target

AHMEDABAD: The city’s civic body has hit its goal of 50 lakh trees under “Mission Five Million Trees”. The Chief Minister’s Office shared the news in a press release on Thursday, 8 October 2026, as reported by ANI.

To mark the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined a tree planting drive at Bhadaj, on the city’s western edge. The drive was held under the state’s “Seva, Sankalp and Samarpan Abhiyan”.

At the Bhadaj plot alone, AMC has planted more than one lakh trees, the release said. They cover 66,600 square metres of a nearly 85,000 square metre site. Also, the plot has over 38 kinds of trees. In addition, AMC plans a “Triphala Van” there.

Bhadaj: Open in Google Maps

The News in Plain Words

Let’s keep it simple. This year, the city set out to plant 50 lakh trees. Now, it says it has done it. To mark the day, the CM planted trees at Bhadaj. There, a big plot now has over one lakh trees. So, the city is a lot greener than it was a few years ago. Next, the hard part begins: keeping all these young trees alive.

Key Facts at a Glance

Who Was There

As per the release, these leaders and officials joined the event at Bhadaj:

• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
• Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel
• Mayor Hitesh Barot
• MP Dinesh Makwana
• Deputy Mayor Anju Shah
• Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel
• Prerak Shah
• Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani
• Local MLAs, senior officials, AMC office-bearers and citizens

From 10 Lakh to 50 Lakh: How the Mission Grew

AMC launched its “Mission Million Trees” campaign in 2019. Since then, it has raised its yearly target almost every year, the release said.

Then, on World Environment Day this year, AMC set a goal of 50 lakh trees. Now, as per the CMO, the city has met that goal.

Here’s how the numbers have grown over the years, according to figures reported earlier from AMC records.

Note: Figures up to 2025–26 are from a June 2026 news report citing AMC records. In other words, the mission has grown about five times in seven years.

Why Ahmedabad Needs More Trees

Ahmedabad is one of India’s hottest big cities. In summer, temperatures often cross 45°C. Also, as the city grows, more concrete and roads trap heat. Experts call this the “urban heat island” effect.

Trees help in simple ways. First, they give shade. Second, they cool the air around them. Third, they help clean the air by trapping dust. And finally, they give homes to birds and insects.

So, for a city like Ahmedabad, planting trees isn’t just about looks. It’s about health, comfort and a liveable future.

What the Mission Has Achieved So Far

The tree mission has also won global praise. The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) runs the World Green City Awards. As per AIPH, the city’s mission won the “Living Green for Climate Change” prize at the 2026 awards.

AIPH’s case study shares several results. Here are the key ones:

• Green space per person: Rose from 6.8 sq m in 2021 to 8.4 sq m in 2024, about a 23% rise.
• Bad air days: Days with unhealthy, severe or hazardous AQI fell from 94 in 2020 to 53 in 2024.
• Cooler spots: Dense plantations have reportedly cooled local areas by 2 to 2.5°C.
• Native species: The mission uses 184 native species.
• Survival: The 30 lakh tree phase reached 81% survival, with a 90% target now.
• Waste sites turned green: Over 4.2 lakh sq m of old dumping sites became parks and forests.
• Oxygen parks: 249 biodiversity and oxygen parks are run with private partners.

Also, AIPH notes that PM Narendra Modi praised the mission on “Mann Ki Baat” in April 2025.

How AMC Plants So Many Trees

Planting 50 lakh trees in a single season is a huge task. So, how does AMC do it? According to AIPH and news reports, it uses a mix of methods.

1. Miyawaki Forests

The Miyawaki method packs many native trees close together on a small plot. As a result, they grow fast and form a dense mini-forest in a few years. For example, AIPH says AMC used dense forest methods for about 28 lakh of the 40 lakh trees in 2025–26.

2. Roadside and Divider Planting

As per the CMO release, AMC teams plant trees along main roads, dividers, public places, gardens and open spaces.

3. Planting on Open Plots

AMC also turns large open plots, like the one at Bhadaj, into green zones with lakhs of trees.

4. Planting With Citizens

Residents and housing societies can also take part, as explained below.

5. Smart Watering

AIPH says AMC uses treated water from sewage plants, supplied through drip irrigation. This saves fresh water.

6. Planting in Pollution Hotspots

News reports from June said AMC planned extra planting in pollution hotspots identified by its air quality team.

How You Can Join: Green Societies and Green Volunteers

The mission isn’t only for the city’s teams. Citizens can join too. As per the CMO release, AMC is promoting:

• Green Volunteer: A way for citizens to help with planting and care.
• Memorial Park: An initiative linked to planting trees in memory of loved ones.
• Green Societies: A drive to make housing societies greener.

Under the Green Societies drive, citizens who register on the AMC Seva mobile app can get free tree planting by AMC teams, the release said.

How to Register, Step by Step

1. First, download the AMC Seva app on your phone.
2. Next, look for the tree plantation, Green Volunteer or Green Society option.
3. Then, fill in your details and your society’s address.
4. After that, AMC’s team will contact you to plan the planting.
5. Finally, take care of the saplings, especially with water in the first summer.

Note: The exact menu names in the app may differ. If you can’t find the option, contact your local AMC ward office.

What Is the Triphala Van?

The CMO release says AMC plans a “Triphala Van” at the Bhadaj plot. However, it didn’t share more details.

In Ayurveda, Triphala is a well-known mix of three fruits: amla, harde (haritaki) and baheda (bibhitaki). So, a Triphala Van is likely to be a grove of these three trees. People often grow such groves for their health and cultural value. We’ll update this story if AMC shares more details.

Where Is Bhadaj?

Bhadaj is on the north-western edge of Ahmedabad, near the Science City and Ognaj areas. It’s a fast-growing part of the city. So, turning a large plot here into a green zone could help balance new development with greenery.

What Experts Will Watch Next

Planting trees is the first step. Keeping them alive is the real test. So, here are the questions that matter most now.

• Survival rate: How many of the 50 lakh trees will survive the next summer?
• Care and watering: Who will water and protect the saplings for the next two to three years?
• Native species: Is AMC using local trees that suit the city’s climate?
• Green cover data: Will the next tree census or satellite study show a real rise in green cover?
• Air and heat: Will hot spots cool down and bad air days fall further?

As noted above, AIPH says AMC reached 81% survival in an earlier phase and now aims for 90%. That’s a good sign. Still, regular public updates will help citizens see the results.

What It Means for Amdavadis

For people in Ahmedabad, the news brings hope for a greener, cooler city. In the long run, more trees could mean:

• More shade on roads and footpaths
• Cooler streets and homes in summer
• Cleaner air in busy areas
• More birds and nature in the city
• New parks and green spaces to enjoy

However, the city can’t do it alone. So, if you have space in your society, school or office, consider joining the Green Societies drive. And if AMC plants a sapling near your home, give it a bucket of water now and then. In the end, every tree that survives counts.

The Story in Numbers

• 50 lakh: Trees planted under Mission Five Million Trees.
• 2019: Year the tree mission began.
• 1 lakh+: Trees at the Bhadaj plot.
• 38+: Tree varieties at Bhadaj.
• 66,600 sq m: Area planted at Bhadaj, out of about 85,000 sq m.
• 184: Native species planted under the mission, as per AIPH.
• 81%: Survival in an earlier phase, as per AIPH.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trees has Ahmedabad planted under Mission Five Million Trees?

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has achieved its target of planting 50 lakh (5 million) trees, as per a CMO press release reported by ANI on 8 October 2026.

What is Mission Five Million Trees?

It’s AMC’s 2026 tree plantation campaign, with a target of 50 lakh trees across Ahmedabad. It grew out of Mission Million Trees, which began in 2019.

Where was the 50 lakh trees milestone marked?

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked the milestone at a plantation drive in Bhadaj, Ahmedabad, under the Seva, Sankalp and Samarpan Abhiyan.

How many trees are at the Bhadaj plot?

AMC has planted over one lakh trees of more than 38 kinds at Bhadaj. They cover 66,600 sq m of the 85,000 sq m plot, and AMC plans a Triphala Van there too.

When did AMC start Mission Million Trees?

AMC launched Mission Million Trees in 2019 and has raised its yearly target almost every year since.

How can I get free tree planting in my society in Ahmedabad?

Register on the AMC Seva mobile app under the Green Societies drive. AMC teams then plant trees free of cost for registered citizens, as per the CMO release.

Has Ahmedabad’s tree mission won any award?

Yes. According to AIPH, Ahmedabad’s Mission Million Trees won the Living Green for Climate Change category at the 2026 AIPH World Green City Awards.

Why is Ahmedabad planting so many trees?

To fight extreme heat, improve air quality, add green space and support biodiversity in a fast-growing city.

The Bottom Line

Ahmedabad has crossed a major green milestone. With 50 lakh trees planted under Mission Five Million Trees, the city’s tree drive has grown about five times since 2019. Now, the focus shifts to keeping these trees alive and growing.

So, keep an eye on your neighbourhood saplings, join the Green Societies drive and help Ahmedabad become a cooler, greener city.

Is your society, school or business part of Ahmedabad’s green drive? Share your story with Amdavad Gully. Write to us at amdavadgully@gmail.com.

References

• ANI – AMC achieves milestone of planting 50 lakh trees under Mission Five Million Trees (8 October 2026)
• AIPH – Green City case study: Ahmedabad, Mission Million Trees
• The Hawk – Ahmedabad targets 50 lakh trees (June 2026)
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation – Official website

This story draws on a CMO press release reported by ANI on 8 October 2026, along with earlier reports and AIPH’s case study. Figures from past years are as reported, and AMC may revise them. Images: one shows Ahmedabad’s riverfront greenery; the planting image is representative. All images are from Unsplash and free to use under the Unsplash License.