Rapid urbanisation, road expansion, infrastructure projects and expansion of Delhi Metro are being blamed for dwindling green cover in the national Capital, which resulted in the increase of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air.
According to reports by Forest Survey of India (FSI), in 2011, Delhi’s green cover reduced to 296 sq km, which is 19 per cent of the total geographical area of approximately 1,483 sq km from 2009 when it was 299.58 sq km forming 20.20 per cent of the total area. It is noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its report said that the national Capital has the highest concentration of PM2.5 — particulate matter less than 2.5 microns — form of air pollution, which is considered the most serious.
“Delhi being the developing Capital, developmental projects cannot be stopped. Thus, it is a dynamic challenge to carry on with the developmental projects and at the same time maintaining green cover. The monumental increase in Metros, flyovers and multi-storeyed buildings requires a plan, which integrates both greenery and development. The increasing population demands development and urbanisation pose pressure on the green cover. Though the department is doing the required plantation, it cannot ensure that they are provided with the land,” said officials of the Forest Department.
Officials of the Forest Department said the survey does not include any measurement which has less than 23.5 metre width of green and area having less than one hectare is not identified.
In a bid to make Delhi greener, the Delhi Government has decided to plant 10 lakh-12 lakh saplings every year. For the year 2012-13, a total of 17.17 lakh saplings had been planted and distributed. This apart, 5 lakh to 6 lakh free saplings are distributed during the monsoon. “The aim is that any vacant area should come under plantation,” said AK Shukla, Conservator of Forests. Shukla stressed that while the Forest Department is consistently working towards maintaining green cover, even the user agencies are contributing to this. The Delhi Government in its Cabinet meeting taken in March 2010 said all projects that require the sealing of trees have to be compensated by 10 saplings out of which five will be planted by the Forest Department and five by user agencies.