Delhi govt to plant 14-L saplings in nat'l capital in 2015-16

Delhi government will plant as many as 14 lakh saplings across the national capital during 2015-16 in its bid to improve the green cover in the city amidst concerns raised over its air quality and calls for concerted action for combating pollution.
As part of an action plan to make the city green and clean, the government agencies concerned have also been asked to fulfil their outstanding plantation targets for last year.
The above was decided at a meeting yesterday chaired by Delhi environment minister Asim Ahmed Khan and featuring the representatives of other government departments, the three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Delhi Parks and Gardens Society.

"We will plant 14 lakh saplings across the city, which will be done by different green agencies. Forest department will be the nodal agency for recommending appropriate species for different types of soil and topography and the techniques of tall plantation," said an official.
As the PWD and DJB have their own nurseries, Khan directed them to first raise saplings to the height of 5-6 ft and then transfer those for plantation in open spaces so as to increase their longevity.
Khan emphasised the need for third-party evaluation of plantations in the past to assess survival rates. He also proposed that stock be taken of plantations with a view to increase them to ensure densification of the green cover.

In order to keep a check on pollution, the minister asked all the agencies to strictly implement the policy of zero tolerance on burning of garbage, leaves and plastic in open areas. All the departments were instructed to provide help to SDMs for conducting surprise checks against open burning.
To increase the green cover, there is also a plan to utilise the land available with other government agencies.
"A meeting will be held with Delhi Cantonment Board, Indian Railways and DDA to assess the availability of land banks and open areas for increasing the green cover in Delhi in order to effectively reduce air pollution, particularly that caused by particulate matter," a senior official said.