Every year during the monsoon, the Govt. of Delhi distributes free saplings through various outlets for the past one decade or so. This has resulted in large participation of all, schoolchildren and citizens of Delhi. This has reflected in the increase in green cover of Delhi, reaching upto almost 300 sq. km. from a mere 26 sq. km. in 1997
The Govt. of Delhi has made elaborate arrangements for the procurement, distribution and planting of trees. More than 1 million saplings are being procured by various agencies involved in the greening. Different targets for each agency have been given for procurement. Mainly Forest Department is procuring 6 lakh saplings followed by Delhi Parks and Garden Society 3 lakh saplings. Other agencies like PWD, MCD, DDA etc. are procuring saplings and will be planting in their respective identified areas.
Meticulous planning and elaborate distribution arrangements have been made. 50 metro stations 51 selected petrol pumps, 52 CNG stations, 10 major Govt. Offices, Dilli Haat, both at Pitampura and INA, and more than from where free saplings will be distributed. The exact places from where the saplings can be collected could be seen at www.greenleapdelhi.com. The required information can be obtained from the numbers 23392512 or 23392290.
All land owning departments like DDA, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Cantonment Board, Police have been asked to prepare a plantation schedule for this period. The Schedule will contain the information about the place of plantation, No. of Sapling to be planted and the date of Plantation.
Cabinet Ministers from Delhi, MPs, Mayor, MLAs and Councilors have been requested to organize different functions in their constituencies/ localities where plantation drives will be carried out during this season. Besides, 300 schools and more than 600 RWAs have given their consent to carry out this plantation dive in a big way. A special Bhagidari workshop is being organized for more than 1000 RWAs to motivate them to take part in this campaign in a big manner.
An elaborate plan for maintenance of the plant has also being chalked out. The treated waste water from sewage treatment plants would be used extensively for watering the plants. In case of the plantation done by schools, Individuals or Institution, the onus of nurturing the plants would be placed on the respective entities.
A well planned, multifaceted awareness campaign is also being rolled out. For the first time in this greening plantation drive, Social media networking has been used extensively for conveying the message through facebook, twitter, and specially created blogs spot named www.greenleapdelhi.com