Gurgaon: 80 Pilkhan trees planted in Leisure Valley Park

About 80 Pilkhan trees — which can recycle more air than any other tree species — were planted near Leisure Valley Park in Sector 29 on Saturday to create awareness

About 80 Pilkhan trees — which can recycle more air than any other tree species — were planted near Leisure Valley Park in Sector 29 on Saturday to create awareness about sustainable environment.

This plantation drive was initiated by former director, horticulture, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, KC Sharma, on his birthday.

This plantation drive was initiated by former director, horticulture, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, KC Sharma , on his 80th birthday.

More than 150 residents of the city gathered to take a pledge to save the environment. On this occasion, MCG commissioner V Umashankar and officials of the Haryana urban development authority (Huda) were also present and planted five-year-old trees, promising to manage them.

“I wanted to give something back to the society and to set an example for the younger generation. Trees will speak for themselves and will benefit everyone,” Sharma said.

The reason for choosing the Pilkhan species, Sharma said, is that the tree is ideal for Delhi-NCR weather conditions and can easily survive.

“The soil quality (in the area) is not ideal for ornamental trees; planting of native species should be the focus,” he added.

“Our aim is to water these trees regularly and to keep a track on the development. We have also introduced a new technology in planting these trees in which the roots will go deep into the soil and they will not spread on the upper layer of the soil,” said VK Nirala, executive engineer, horticulture department, Huda.

These trees will attract birds and clean the city’s air as well. It was also decided not to plant saplings as the survival rate of saplings is very low in the city because of less rainfall and poor soil quality.

Pilkhan trees are mostly found across Delhi.

As the region is facing groundwater depletion, it is necessary that trees be planted across urban areas, a Huda official said.

The Pilikhan species can hold the soil together, reducing erosion of top soil — which is one of the reasons for desertification and air pollution in the city as it creates more dust.

The Haryana government had also declared earlier that it will plant more than two crore saplings to increase the forest cover in the state.