Govt plans to go big with plantation drive, focus on native tree species

NEW DELHI: Plantation drives in Delhi are around the corner with the monsoon expected to hit the city by the first week of July. The Delhi government’s environment

NEW DELHI: Plantation drives in Delhi are around the corner with the monsoon expected to hit the city by the first week of July. The Delhi government’s environment department has plans to go big with the drive this year.

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According to government officials, the department is planning to monitor the drive closely and make sure that plantation targets of all agencies are met. A special push will be given to native tree species such as Amaltas, Kadam, Sakar, Peepal and Shahtoot.

In Delhi, the environment and forest department, the municipal corporations, PWD, Delhi Metro and NDMC are the primary plantation agencies. Of these, the municipal corporations have the biggest quantum of plantations followed by the forest department.

NDMC has also announced that it will shift focus to native plant species this year. The council is known for planting exotic plant species in its parks.

Last year, the target was to plant 13 lakh tress but it was not met. This year, the government plans to monitor the drive to make sure it is met. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced earlier this month that last year’s plan to audit plantation drives will be revived.

Under the plan, each plantation site will have to be audited by a third party to see how many saplings survive.

The plan was to conduct an audit last year but the agencies involved in the drive did not respond well to it.

“The vision is to increase the green cover in Delhi in the coming four years. The government is keen on it and will make sure that the plantation targets are met. The CM had outlined his vision to cut pollution in December last year. Increasing the green cover is an important part of the initiative. Right from central verges to open areas, plantation drives will cover everything. He (Kejriwal) will take a special interest in the projects this year,” said an official.