The Delhi Government has set target to increase green cover of Capital by adopting “effective plantation” and establishing six new forests across the city.
Also, the Government is to replace water guzzling Vilayti Kikar (P Juliflora), which scientists claim has gobbled up hundreds of acres of land and over years killing other plant species, with local tree species on the stretch of Central Ridge starting from Sardar Patel Marg to Vande Matram Marg.
“Open space will be created for planting of local species. Once they get a foothold, Kikar trees will be gradually eliminated. The first phase of execution will start in July 2018 and will be completed by March 2019,” said an official of Delhi Park & Garden Society after Environment Minister Imran Hussian held a review meeting.
The area of Central Ridge will be developed in consultation with Professor Emeritus CR Babu, Chairman, Centre for Environment Management and Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), who is an authority on reclamation of ecosystems and is known for his work in Yamuna Biodiversity Park.
“Since the department intended to utilise the technical expertise of Professor Babu for eradication of Kikar, the board agreed to the proposal and tentative expenditure of Rs 12.21 crore to be borne from RMB fund for removing Kikar over a period of 5 years and restoration of Central Ridge area. Besides this, the Government will also develop six new city forests at Junapur, Aya Nagar, Deramandi, Bela Farm, Gadi Mandu, Pocket A, Alipur,” read a statement issued by the Delhi Government.
“We have already identified six plantation wood lots which will be converted into city forests for the benefit of the people living in the adjoining areas,” Environment Department officials informed the Minister.
The work of landscaping, planting ornamental plants, grassing, water bodies, katchha trails will be developed by the Forest Department.
The works of civil nature like boundary wall construction, cemented foot tracks, fencing, etc, will be carried out by the I&FC Department.
On Friday, Hussain reviewed “greening target for current year under green Budget” and has set a target for 20 lakh saplings during monsoon season. Considering important aspect of monsoon for tree plantation, the Government has decided to plant young seedlings get rain water for their growth.
Officers of Delhi Parks, Garden and Society informed the Environment Minister that total target of 20.13 lakh saplings (8.67 lakh tree saplings + 7.20 lakh shrubs + 4.25 lakh sapling for free distribution to public) is fixed for the current financial year for all 20 greening agencies and departments of the Delhi Government.
However, under the 20-point programme, Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, has fixed a target of 10.14 lakh saplings covering an area of 1560 hectare land for all greening agencies of Delhi.
Official said the timeline for plantation in a scientific and systematic manner thus ensuring time bound achievement of collective target for 2018-19 will be fixed soon.
“A campaign will be launched in June, 2018 in newspapers, FM, etc, requesting the RWAs, Market Associations and NGOs to take up large-scale plantation in their respective areas over the vacant land and also maintain them,” the Environment Department said.
There are 14 forest nurseries in Delhi and the above agencies will be given seedlings of local indigenous tree species from these nurseries free of cost. “The works will be completed by March, 2019 and city Forests will be opened to public. City Forest Management Committees will also be formed for supervision of works and monitoring the maintenance by Dec, 2018,” the Environment Department official said.