**Madhya Pradesh Achieves 60% of Amrit Harit Maha Abhiyan Target, Prepares for 2026 Plantation Drive**

*Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)* — Madhya Pradesh has successfully achieved around 60% of its ambitious target under the Amrit Harit Maha Abhiyan, which aims to plant over one crore saplings by the end of 2025. As part of the ongoing efforts, the Urban Administration Department (UAD) is already preparing proposals for the 2026 drive, focusing on securing land and beautifying Bhopal’s seven hills with seasonal flower beds.

### Transforming Bhopal’s Seven Hills

The UAD plans to transform the seven hills of Bhopal into vibrant, seasonal floral landscapes by 2026. The project will involve planting between 25,000 and 30,000 flowering plants, carefully selected to ensure year-round bloom cycles. Six varieties of seasonal plants will be introduced to create a natural floral spectacle throughout the year.

A senior UAD official said, “Our goal is to make the hills come alive with blossoms season after season, turning Bhopal into a natural floral destination.”

### Current Land Status and Encroachments

Satna currently leads in terms of total land identified for plantations. However, in Bhopal, securing land remains a challenge. Out of five designated patches, three face issues of encroachment — including a 19-acre area in Damkheda and two patches of 13 acres each. The other two patches in Jahgariya Kurd, measuring 15 and 23 acres respectively, are free from encroachment.

### Challenges in Urban Areas

One of the major hurdles in the plantation drive is the availability of land within municipal limits. While smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have exceeded their planting targets — such as Chand in Chhindwara (227%), Dhanpuri in Shahdol (160%), and Bhedaghat in Jabalpur (142%) — larger cities are lagging behind.

Bhopal has achieved only 17% of its target so far. Other major cities like Gwalior, Ujjain, and Indore are also facing significant land shortages, impacting their ability to meet plantation goals.

### Land Identified for 2026 Plantation Drive

Following directives from the UAD on September 2, ten municipal corporations have marked nearly 500 acres for the 2026 plantation drive. This is expected to increase to approximately 700–800 acres by the end of the year. Here is the land identified so far across the state:

– Satna – 100 acres (11 patches)
– Gwalior – 84.79 acres (4 patches)
– Bhopal – 84 acres (5 patches)
– Rewa – 64 acres
– Chhindwara – 61 acres
– Jabalpur – 55 acres
– Ratlam – 25.50 acres
– Burhanpur – 11 acres
– Dewas – 3 acres
– Khandwa – 2.99 acres

### The Seven Hills of Bhopal

The plantation drive will focus on the following seven hills of Bhopal:

– Arera Hills
– Shyamala Hills
– Idgah Hills
– Katara Hills
– Danish Hills
– Neori Hills
– Kaliyasot Hills

### Innovative Concept Plantation Drives for 2026

In 2026, the UAD plans to introduce innovative concept plantations across 416 ULBs. The final designs will include Nagar Vans, Herbal Forests, Oxygen Parks, and Botanical Gardens. These will be tailored based on local conditions and the availability of land, aiming to enhance urban green spaces and promote biodiversity.

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*Story by Utsav Gupta*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-state-achieves-60-plantation-target-bhopal-hills-to-bloom-by-2026