Day after the Delhi Government launched status report on Capital’s forest cover, lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday held s review meeting on tree plantation plan with all concerning agencies on Friday.
In the meeting, Baijal was apprised that the proposed target of tree and shrub saplings for all greening agencies in the city for 2018-19 were about 28 lakh (major heads were DDA-10 lakh, forest Department-4.25 lakh, PWD- 2.75 lakh, Education Department-1.25 lakh approx).
The l-G directed to green agencies to complete plantation drive by September30, 2018 and also asked to plant native and fruit bearing species where feasible.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest made a detailed presentation about Delhi's forest cover within and outside green wash, district-wise forest cover, annual plantation by Forest Department, targets allotted to various greening agencies and tree species suitable for plantation by them.
The l-G advised to lay down uniform norms for the type of plantation that should be suitable for Delhi, so that all agencies can follow the same, an official release from the l-G office stated.
He also suggested exploring the possibility of creating a vibrant city forest with diverse flora and fauna, it said.
The l-G directed that a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign should be initiated within next 15 days by all greening agencies involving schools, RWAs, citizen groups, etc.
This campaign should particularly focus on post plantation care such as watering, weeding and maintenance, protection etc, the l-G office said.
It was also informed to the lt Governor that preparatory works for plantation will be completed by July7, 2018 and plantation of saplings will be done from July 8 to September15.
The l-G directed that a test audit of the plantations should be done by a third-party so as to check the survival of the saplings already planted.
Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain, the Environment & Forest Principal Commissioner, the DDA Chairperson, the NDMC Commissioner, the NMC Commissioner, EDMC Secretary (Environment & Forest) and other officers of concerned departments attended the meeting.
