She said that a drive to plant a million saplings in Delhi during this monsoon season has since gained momentum. A large number of agencies, NGOs and business houses are coming forward to join this drive.
Mrs Dikshit Saturday planted saplings along with school children in a park in Kali Bari Govt. Colony under NDMC area. She planted a sapling of Khirni. Around 250 saplings were planted today. The environment department will facilitate planting of around 2000 beautiful shrubs. While doing so, it will be ensured that the play area for the children may not become less. The schools and hospitals have been instructed to plant saplings around their boundaries.
The NDMC has decided to enrich its 250 existing parks with quality green cover. Environment Secretary Keshav Chandra, NDMC chairman Parimal Rai, RWAs functionaries, school Children and reputed persons were present on this occasion.
Mrs Dikshit further stated that the message of plantation needs to be disseminated across Delhi. The NDMC area is green enough though it needs expansion of green area. The ongoing plantation drive will also compensate loss of trees due to developmental projects. She exhorted the citizens and children to provide affectionate care to the planted saplings and to improve survival rate. We have to extend our green area up to 30 percentages in next few years. The UNO has declared 2011 as International Forest Year. The city government has developed 42 city forests which resulted in re-appearance of birds and their chirping.
Dikshit announced that the best contributing agency in plantation drive will be awarded suitably. A large number of agencies have been involved in ongoing drive.
