Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday launched a sandalwood plantation drive in Qutabgarh village with 500 farmers planting 1,000 saplings of the expensive tree on the first day. On July 3, Saxena had instructed officials to plant 10,000 sandalwood trees in Delhi.
During the drive, he expressed the hope that these 1,000 trees, once grown to their full length in the next 10-12 years, will become a financial asset worth Rs 150 crore to the farmers, apart from providing the city with a fragrant green cover.
The LG said experts from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh had been roped in for training the farmers, who had undertaken the plantation of sandalwood saplings on their plots, in grooming and upkeep of these trees.
The LG also instructed officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) present on the occasion to ensure the maintenance of the rejuvenated ponds.