Delhi L-G VK Saxena inaugurates first-ever DDA Green Expo
MoUs signed to transform city's parks into civic & ecological hubs
In a major push towards a greener and sustainable urban future, Lt Governor VK Saxena inaugurated the first-ever DDA Green Expo 2026 at Baansera in the national capital on Saturday. The two-day event, themed “Beyond Growth: Reimagining Urban Futures,” brings together senior government leaders, urban planners, climate experts and industry stakeholders to deliberate on innovative solutions for Delhi’s environmental challenges.
During the inauguration, Saxena also unveiled the DDA Greens logo and DDA Greens 2026Year Book, highlighting the authority’s commitment to promoting green spaces across the city. “The expo reaffirms our commitment to a greener, healthier and more hopeful future for Delhi,” he said, adding that the event honours Delhi residents who nurture small green patches, teach children about local biodiversity and plant and care for saplings—calling them “everyday heroes of our environmental journey.”
The Lt Governor emphasied the transformation of Baansera, a previously degraded and polluted site, into a platform for sustainable urban planning, calling it a “stellar example of greening and reclaiming degraded land.”
DDA Vice-Chairman N Saravana Kumar highlighted that apart from its role as a planner, developer and regulator, the Delhi Development Authority also acted as Delhi’s Environmental Trustee, ensuring that green initiatives integrated ecology, innovation and community engagement.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at transforming DDA parks into civic and ecological hubs. Partnerships were signed with the National School of Drama to organise theatre workshops in park spaces, the University of Delhi for ecological research and student-led fieldwork and Delhi Technological University for introducing technology-driven sustainability solutions. An MoU with the National Medicinal Plants Board will facilitate the development of herbal gardens and medicinal nurseries, while collaboration with WWF-India will establish Citizens’ Nature Hubs to promote environmental awareness. DDA will also enter into a knowledge partnership with the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority for sustainable and heritage-sensitive urban planning practices.
The expo features panel discussions on climate-responsive city design, flood resilience, nature-based infrastructure and innovative financing models for green infrastructure. Through these initiatives, the DDA aims to reposition its parks as centres for research, cultural engagement, youth participation and environmental learning, moving beyond recreation to become dynamic platforms.
