Schools to geo-tag plantation on campus

New Delhi: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has made geo-tagging mandatory as part of a mega plantation drive aimed at increasing greenery across schools in the capital, directing institutions to upload location-based photographs of plantation sites before and after sapling drives.

In a circular issued by DoE, all govt, aided and private recognised schools in Delhi have been instructed to participate in the campaign by planting at least 50 saplings, including 15 trees and 35 shrubs, on the inauguration day of the drive. The initiative is part of a broader target to plant 35,000 saplings across schools during the 2026-27 academic session.

“The DoE has directed schools to submit geo-tagged photographs of the plantation sites and pits through online Google forms before plantation begins,” the circular stated. Schools have also been asked to upload photographs taken during and after the plantation process along with details of the number of saplings planted.

According to the schedule outlined in the circular, schools were required to complete site selection and soil preparation between April 1 and May 14, while pit digging is to be carried out from May 15 to May 25. The DoE has specified that the plantation site and pit-digging site must remain the same to ensure proper monitoring and implementation.

Zone conveners will coordinate with schools for smooth execution of the programme. The department has also planned a special tree plantation drive from Aug 1 to Aug 11 to further boost plantation efforts in schools.

The circular further stated that schools must achieve 80% of their plantation target by Sept 15.

Free saplings for the campaign will be supplied by nurseries run by the forest department, GNCT of Delhi. Heads of schools, eco-club teachers, school management committee members and students have been asked to actively participate in the initiative and ensure regular maintenance of the planted saplings.