Vinit Wahi/ New Delhi
The Delhi Forest Minister Mr Imran Hussain on Tuesday asked the department to achieve the target of planting one million saplings across Delhi during this year to increase the green cover, since pre-Monsoon showers have set in Delhi and it is expected that soil moisture level will now be maintained till the ensuing Monsoon season.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, has fixed the target of tree plantation of 8.26 lakh in the year 2017-18 for Delhi. The officers of Forest Department informed the Minister that the target has been given to agencies to achieve tree plantation of 10 lakh saplings instead of 8.26 lakh.
Department of Forests and Wildlife will be planting around four lakh saplings besides arranging free distribution of seedlings during the Monsoon season to ensure tree plantation on all available land in Delhi through participation of people. All three MCDs are planting more than two lakh saplings. DDA, Education Department are planting more than one lakh saplings in their areas and school premises respectively.
Mr Hussain directed that the plantation drive be taken up in the month of July-August, as in North India, climate in these months is highly favourable for growing of trees like neem, pilkhan, barh, jamun, amla, baherha, hingot, palash etc. The Tree plantation will be done in various parts of city/ assembly constituencies from 15th July onwards on daily basis by the concerned MLAs, RWAs etc. with the help of Delhi Park & Garden Society, Forest Department etc. Intense tree plantation drive will be taken up soon.