Asim Ahmed Khan inaugurates CII Delhi plantation drive

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly with the AAP Government, with support from Nanhi Chaan Foundation and Hero Future Energies Private Limited, has started a plantation drive in Delhi from today.

As part of this drive, 3000 saplings will be planted in various part of the state in one month.

Delhi's Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan inaugurated the plantation drive at Millennium Park, Ring Road, Sarai Kale Khan, here today by planting the first spalling.

Senior industry members along with students from schools participated at the plantation drive.

On this occasion, Khan appreciated CII's efforts to increase the green cover in Delhi and emphasized on the importance of protecting and preserving the environment along with the need for collective effort from the industry, civil society and government.

"It is responsibility of each and every individual to take care of the environment, protect and preserve it for future. Good life for our future generation will come not only from bank balances, assets etc. but from a healthy environment for them to live in," he stated.

Khan also urged every citizen to plant a tree in the name of each child in their family for a better future.

Harpal Singh, the past chairman of CII northern region and chairman of Nanhi Chaan Foundation, while speaking on the occasion said there is tremendous pressure on the physical environment of Delhi due to growing population and urbanisation which has impacted the air quality and green cover in the state.

"The built-up area in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) has increased by over 32 percent in the last 10 years, which has also impacted the green areas and water bodies. Hence, sustainability is not only important for living beings but for businesses as well. The only way this will be possible is if every citizen and all Institutions of Government, private sector and civil society work in tandem to achieve natures balance," he said.

Rahul Munjal, Convenor, CII Delhi Panel on Environment and Sustainability and Managing Director, Hero Future Energies, said there is an urgent need for Delhi to increase its green cover from current 20 percent to 30 percent in the next five years, which would mean the national capital having an additional 8 to 9 hectares of green cover.

"At present, only 12 percent of Delhi is known to have forest cover. With this environmental initiative, we invite corporates, associations and individuals in Delhi to get involved and to contribute for a greener tomorrow," he said.

Dr. Alka Kaul, the chairperson of CII Delhi State Council and director of Horizon Industrial Product Private Limited, said the CII will engage with all stakeholders to address the environmental issues in the state and will extend full support to the Delhi Government on agenda of increasing green cover of Delhi.

"There is a need for individual responsibility in terms of protecting and preserving the environment around us," she said.