Despite falling prey to the need of constant concretisation, Delhi is still breathing. The ridges, forest belts and parks are the green lungs of the city, pumping in fresh air and giving shelter to nearly 450 species of birds.
Much of the credit goes to the different civic agencies which build and maintain these greens. While the urban cover of Delhi accounts for 4,777 hectares, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has the largest role to play in terms of maintaining these greens.
"We have 5,050 hectares of green area under us, which is the largest portion compared to any other agency. There are 25 city forests spread over an area of 460 hectares under us. Our regional parks have been divided into four parts - Northern Ridge of 87 hectares, Central Ridge of 864 hectares, South Central Ridge of 626 hectares and Southern Ridge of 6200 hectares," informed a senior official of DDA's Horticulture department.
He further added, "Besides, we have 14 landmark greens which include Indraprastha Park, Swarn Jayanti Park and Aastha Kunj. There are also 255 neighbourhood parks that have been developed as ornamental playgrounds, surrounded by residential colonies and are spread over an area 316.06 hectares across Delhi.
Apart from this we have 111 district parks which have to be in the urban limit of 9.7 square metre per person," informed a senior official of DDA's Horticulture department. Similarly, out of its total area of 42.74 square kilometers, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has a green cover of around 1250 acres.
"There are six major parks like lodi Garden and Talkatora Garden under our jurisdiction. Then we have 124 small parks and 981 CPWD colony parks.Besides, there is one CWG park, 53 roundabouts, five nurseries and one school of gardening," said HK Pachauri, Director Horticulture, NDMC.