With an aim to increase the green cover, the Delhi Government has distributed 1.5 lakh saplings this monsoon season. While the environment department has planted 50 thousands saplings, the Government has identified 13 medicinal plant species specially for their immunity-boosting properties against Covid-19 being distributed free of cost from the various nurseries of the forest department spread across the state.
The medical plants are - curry leaves, gooseberry, neem, bahera, jamun, guava, arjun, sahjan, wood apple and lemon
“In a scenario where the world was grappling with the harsh realities of the climate crises; the citizens and respective governments of Delhi had been commendably working against all odds to increase the green cover of Delhi for the last 27 years,” Delhi government said.
Pertinently, in the year 2020, the Covid-19 global pandemic threw an important revelation on the ecological function of forested habitats as buffers to decrease the likelihood of spread of animal pathogens to human beings.
“This could not emphasize more the role of trees and forests as the true guardians of life on earth. Hence it becomes even more imperative for governments and citizens to join hands to protect the environment, forests and trees, government said.
Van Mahotsav has traditionally been an effective means of involving citizens in the greening of our earth and its conservation.
The Department of Environment and Forests, organized a Vriskhropan Pakwada or Tree planting fortnight from the July 10 to July26 , 2020 to mark the Van Mahotsav, 2020.
The fortnight was inaugurated with a ceremonial plantation on the July 10 by Gopal Rai, the Honorable Minister Environment and Forests wherein plantations was done by the Hon'ble Minister and all senior officials of the forest department followed by token distribution of seedlings present at the site.
To highlight that increase of green cover and planting of trees is a duty of all citizens; all ministers of Delhi are a part of the Vriskhropan Pakwada and ceremonial plantings and token distribution of trees was done by Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister July 13, Kailash Gehlot, Minister of Transport, Law and Justice, Administrative, Reforms, Information Technology and Revenue on July 16 and Rajendra Pal Gautam, Minister of Social Welfare, SC & ST, Gurudwara Elections, Cooperative, Women and Child on July 17.