Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai on Tuesday said that the Delhi Government will develop four world-class city forests in the national Capital where people can enjoy in the lap of nature. There are 19 city forests in Delhi, of which four have been selected for further development.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Rai said that these are Mitraon city forest (98 acres) in west Delhi, Alipur city forest (48 acres) in north Delhi, Garhi Mandu city forest (42 acres) in northeast Delhi, and Jaunapur city forest (98 acres) in south Delhi.

Rai further said that a considerable rise in the green cover of Delhi has been witnessed as a result of the Delhi Government's measures and the green cover in city has increased from 20 per cent in 2013 to 23.06 per cent in 2021 “One of the 14 points of the Summer Action Plan is to develop Delhi's city forests. In this direction, the Forest and Wildlife Department has set a goal of developing 19 city forests in Delhi, in addition to boosting the city's green cover,” said rai.

“In the first phase, the aim is to develop the four main city forests located in the four corners of Delhi. These include Mitraon City Forest in South West Delhi, Alipur City Forest in North Delhi, Garhi Mandu City Forest in East Delhi and Jaunapur City Forest in South Delhi,” said Rai.

“These forests will be developed on an eco-friendly model. Their physical structure will not be tampered with. Muram paths, drinking water, public facilities, meditation huts, and amphitheaters will be available to the public in these  forests, as well as opportunities to do research and improve the forest based on their findings. The forests may be developed into an open museum or a living lab,” Rai added.