Sheila launches plantation drive

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today launched a drive under which 15 lakh saplings will be planted across the city in the next two months with an aim to increase the green cover of Delhi.

Dikshit began the drive by planting saplings at Ujwa village in West Delhi.

"The environmental imbalance may cause natural calamities similar to what happened in Uttrakhand. We should aim at making at least one third of Delhi green by planting more and more saplings," she said addresing a function.

Dikshit exhorted citizens to plant saplings in the city in the current monsoon season and take affectionate care to ensure their survival.
 

She said children have been contributing substantially in expanding the green cover of Delhi.

Officials said the Department of Environment will distribute a large number of saplings across the city during the plantation drive.

The Chief Minister said the forest department and 20 other government agencies have been directed to plant around 15 lakhs saplings in the monsoon season.

She said saplings will be given free of cost at petrol pumps and premises of government offices to citizens.

The Chief Minister said that last year also around 10 lakh saplings were planted across the city.

"The city government has developed 40 city forests as part of efforts to protect the environment and conserve flora and fauna," she said.