Delhi sets target of planting 11 lakhs trees

As part of a week-long Independence Day celebrations, Delhi government has set the target of planting 11 lakh trees to mark the occasion.
Out of the 11 lakh trees, three lakh will be planted in the forests areas, one lakh will be planted by Public Works Department while one lakh trees each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi government said in a statement today.
The rest of trees will be planted through participation of greening agencies of other civic bodies, cantonments, Eco-clubs, Resident Welfare Associations and general public, it said.
This will be part of the massive tree plantation announced by Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

The first ceremonial plantation will be inaugurated by Jung on August 12 during which 1,000 saplings will be planted at Shastri Park Metro Vihar.
Other ceremonial plantations are also being chalked out. In all these events medicinal and herbal plants and seedlings will be distributed free of cost by the Forest Department among RWAs, eco-clubs and general public, it said.

The increase in the green cover of Delhi is due to the consistent greening efforts by the different greening agencies.
Delhi government has been making sincere efforts to secure the existing forest cover as well as to further extend the forest cover to 33 per cent of the geographical area in order to meet the requirements of the National Forest Policy.

The change in forest cover during the period between 2011 and 2013 shows an increase of 3.61 sq km.
In the year 1993 the forest and tree cover area was just 22 sq km which is 1.48 per cent of Delhi's geographical area and with the serious efforts of Government, forest and tree cover area has increased to 297.81 sq km in the year 2013, it said.