Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the national capital’s  green cover is higher than cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru as well as London and New York.

 The chief minister said the city’s green cover has to be increased from the existing 23 per cent to 25 per cent in the coming years to make the national capital world’s greenest and cleanest city.

 “At 23 per cent, Delhi’s green cover is higher than cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru as well as London and New York, Kejriwal said. Kejriwal attended a Van Mahotsav where Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena was the chief guest. He said this year, more than 1 crore saplings will be planted across the city, adding that 27.5 lakh saplings have already been planted. Accompanied by the Chief Minister, the Lt. Governor initiated the establishment of a Tapovan, Nakshatra Van and a Raashi Van on a 25 acre plot at the site. 

Replete with plants and trees, associated with Tap, Nakshatras and Raashis, these forests will provide an opportunity to the common Delhi residents, to understand, appreciate and benefit from these hitherto esoteric Indian civilizational values.  

Saxena said the chief minister’s observations need to be implemented and the green cover of the city be enhanced from 23 per cent to 25 per cent in the next two years. 

Saxena said the chief minister’s observations need to be implemented and the green cover of the city be enhanced from 23 per cent to 25 per cent in the next two years. The LG said he has asked for planting of saplings at police stations and other premises of Delhi Police to increase the green cover of the city. A bonhomie was visible between Saxena and Kejriwal, the two constitutional figures at loggerheads over governance-related issues in Delhi.  “I am very happy that the honourable chief minister is present among us in this programme,” Saxena said in his address.

Kejriwal returned the pleasantries in a tweet addressed to the LG, “It was great participating in Van Mahotsav with u Sir. Delhi plants 5.5 lakh trees today with our target of more than 1 cr trees/shrubs this year. Together, all of us will achieve that target.”Saxena also said that even at Raj Niwas on an experimental basis Green Apple trees were planted and has yielded fruits in just eight months.

Both of them also visited the Neeli Jheel Ecotourism Site, located in the Sanctuary, which is a unique destination offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and sustainable tourism.  The Neeli Jheel, owing to efforts undertaken last year by Saxena, immediately after he took charge, has rejuvenated into a valuable water body.  

Last year’s Van Mahotsav programme at Asola Bhati Mines sanctuary was marred with controversy over the poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the programme venue. The programme, held in July last year, was not attended by Kejriwal and his party had accused the Centre and the LG of ‘hijacking’ the event organised by the Delhi government’s forest department. Speaking at the occasion, Kejriwal said this is a matter of happiness and encouragement for us. But we cannot sit idle and it should be increased further. After one to two years, it should be up to 25 per cent and further 27 per cent.

 The chief minister cautioned that if we sit idle and are satisfied with the 23 per cent green cover, it will reduce to 21 per cent and further to 19 per cent. “We cannot let it (Delhi’s green cover) reduce. We need to increase it,” he said.

The AAP supremo also observed that world over, expansion of cities has impacted their respective green covers, but despite fast growth in Delhi, its green cover has increased. During the Van Mahotsav event held at Asola Bhati Mines wildlife sanctuary, 5.5 lakh saplings were planted.