Eighteen Namo Oxygen Parks inaugurated in Delhi on World Environment Day are part of a Supreme Court-mandated compensatory afforestation effort following the illegal felling of over 1,100 trees. Critics argue that the parks are a public relations stunt rather than a genuine environmental initiative, highlighting the need for protecting existing ecosystems.

• 01The Namo Oxygen Parks were established after the Supreme Court ordered compensatory afforestation due to the illegal felling of over 1,100 trees in Delhi's Southern Ridge.
• 02The parks cover 185.4 acres and include native species like Peepal, Banyan, and Neem, aimed at improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity.
• 03Environmentalists argue that newly planted saplings cannot immediately replace the ecological benefits provided by mature trees, which take years to develop.
• 04Critics emphasize that the parks should be seen as a legal obligation rather than a standalone achievement, questioning the narrative of environmental progress.
• 05The long-term success of the parks depends on the survival and growth of the newly planted trees amid challenges such as water shortages and maintenance.

The establishment of Namo Oxygen Parks aims to improve air quality and restore green cover in Delhi, directly affecting urban residents.