Space crunch hits forest dept’s plantation drive

Shortage of space due to rapid urbanisation in Millennium City has hit the plantation drive of the district forest department.

Shortage of space due to rapid urbanisation in Millennium City has hit the plantation drive of the district forest department.

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The department had planned to plant around four lakh saplings before the coming monsoon season.

It has to plant 1.75 lakh saplings while the rest will be planted with the help of other government agencies, NGOs and local farmers.

But the authorities are yet to find adequate space to accommodate these trees.

“We have to find the right place for planting saplings during monsoon so that the possibility of their survival remains high. But in Gurgaon, there is hardly any place left for plantation. We are exploring the best possible options,” said additional district forest officer BS Rana.

Depleting forest cover is a major concern for residents of the city.

In 1999, the district had nearly three lakh trees but their number reduced to 1.32 lakh in 2011. The forest land has also reduced by 240 hectare to 9,268 hectare.

They have identified 20 spots, including Aravali hills, bio-diversity parks and air force station areas, to carry out their plantation drive.

According to the meteorological department, monsoon is expected to hit the northern region later this month.