Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday held a detailed review on the status of afforestation and greening of spaces in the national Capital in the last two years and instructed officials with regards to the future course of action.
“With LG’s direct intervention, while 48 lakh trees and shrubs were planted across Delhi during 2022-23, the number rose up exponentially to 89 lakhs during 2023-24. Of these, the figures for DDA alone stood at 14.61 lac trees during the same period,” a statement by the Raj Niwas said.
Further, it stated that 67 lakh trees and shrubs were planted during the current year, ‘despite scarcity of land in the Capital’. LG directed the officials in the meeting to explore all possible ways further, including creation of layered plantations, Miyawaki forests and aquatic forests to increase the green assets.
“More than nine lakh trees of these were planted under Saxena’s direct supervision. These include 5.50 lakh trees at Asola Bhati Mines in July 2023, a lakh each by MCD and DDA in their specific plantation drives in the parks under their jurisdiction. Apart from this, 83,500 bamboo and flowering trees were planted at Garhi Mandu and about 20,000 trees that include bamboo, were planted along roadside in the run up to G-20 Summit,” the statement said, adding that a triple grid layered of 11 Kms plantation was planted at Garhi Mandu.Saxena launched a first of its kind initiative to introduce new varieties of flora in Delhi's Ecosystem. For the first time, saplings of Cherry Blossom, Chinar, Green Apple, Water Apple and Sandalwood were planted at different locations including the Raj Niwas. Green Apple and Water Apple planted at Raj Niwas around September 2022, bore the first fruits in just 08 months. On the other hand, saplings of Cherry Blossom, Chinar and Sandalwood have been flourishing well ever since they were planted in May 2023. The excellent growth of these flora has busted the myth that these plants and fruits cannot be grown in Delhi.
Saxena directed to make the future layout plan with set targets under the Green Layout Plan 2024-25 more comprehensive while directing the officials to plant along the boundary walls of school and other institutional premises.
Officials of the DDA were directed to launch a special drive in the Narela-Bawana area. He instructed the DDA and Forest Department to plant fruit bearing trees in Ridge and asked them to avoid plastic bags for keeping and distribution of saplings.
“Saxena also directed for seamless coordination between DoEF-GNCTD, DDA, MCD and NDMC for carrying out and sustaining the plantation drives,” it stated.
