Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a bamboo plantation drive at the Bhalswa landfill site on Tuesday and assured people that the area would soon be turned green.
Addressing reporters along with the chief minister and other ministers, the L-G Saxena said bamboo was chosen for the plantation drive because it releases 30 per cent more oxygen, requires less water and grow fast. "Within a year, when you pass this landfill site, you will see a green patch instead of heaps of trash," said L-G Saxena.
He said efforts to reclaim landfill sites began two years ago and with the start of the plantation drive, the process of turning these areas into green zones has begun. The L-G reiterated the government's promise to make the city pollution-free and launched a new initiative to convert the Bhalswa landfill near the northern border into a green patch of bamboo groves planted on the land that has been cleared over the last two years.
L-G Saxena said the land was cleared over the last two years and today around 2,000 bamboo trees were planted. "Today, 200 bamboo plants have been planted here. In the coming months, 54,000 more trees will be added," the L-G said, adding that once the plantation is completed, commuters will get to see green patches instead of towering garbage mounds. "We had promised to free Delhi of pollution and this initiative marks the beginning of a cleaner and greener city," he added.
CM Rekha Gupta lauded the efforts of the L-G and the Central government while alleging that previous dispensations "only made tall claims" about tackling the landfill issue but failed to take concrete action. She further highlighted the Central government's role in utilising waste material from landfill sites in various projects across Delhi, including DDA grounds. "The LG has played a crucial role in ensuring Delhi's transformation. His leadership has been like a shield, protecting the city and guiding its development," Gupta said.
Promising to conduct monthly visits to monitor the project, CM Gupta said the Delhi government is working in mission mode and its results will be visible in the greening of this patch of land.
"We will visit all the three landfill sites and within one year we aim to lower the height of the mountains of garbage and develop green projects. The 'Double Engine' government will work with double speed as the government is in mission.
"In a year, this place will be completely transformed into a green land. Our mission is to clean and beautify Delhi, and with a double-engine government, we will achieve this goal at double speed," she added.
