In a bid to curb pollution level and to increase forest area in the Capital, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) asked Delhi Development Authority to give the Yamuna flood-plain area to them.
Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Environment & Forest, said the proposal to acquire wetland area of the river floodplain is aimed at converting it to natural forest. “The tree plantation in this area is not just to enhance the aesthetic beauty but this land will be purposely used to grow natural plants if we get this land from DDA,” said Kumar.
“DDA has not given any reaction on this proposal yet,” the official further said. Delhi has 20 per cent area of forest land, however, according to DPCC officials this would be 25 per cent by 2025.
“The river bed area of the Yamuna is fertile land with all favorable atmospheric conditions where any type of plant can grow,” he said.
Delhi ecologists also said that if DPCC will be able to obtain the land and if it gets converted to forest, the extinct Yamuna wetland will regain ecology system.
Ecologist TK Roy said there is need to create forest in the river surroundings, but the Delhi Government first needs to ban the ongoing construction. “Surrounded river area is occupied with human activities. If Government is serious about the project, then it should think about maintenance and sustainability of the plants,” he said.