Delhi Environment Minister to review tree plantation campaign

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain, who had previously directed officials of his department to embark on a tree plantation campaign across the city during monsoon, is likely to review the campaign's progress this month.

Based on the progress report, the minister will decide whether or not to continue the campaign. "Officials were directed to run the tree plantation campaign throughout the monsoon and it is going well," said Hussain.

The minister also had formed an inter-departmental committee, comprising of senior officials. Officials of the Environment department said that every monsoon they plan similar campaigns, but due to lack of proper monitoring, they mostly fail.

"I have made a small group of officials and appointed nodal officers, who directly report to me about the progress of the campaign," Hussain told Millennium Post. Among the members of this group are officials of civic bodies, Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority.

According to officials of the Department, the inter-departmental structure of the plan helped the campaign because no authority intervened in the campaign.

The Delhi government has also rolled out various steps to bring down pollution levels in the city and a strong monitoring of every plan is ongoing. Delhi Pollution Control Committee has directed issued guidelines to the government, which the officials have been following for a while. This month, the minister is likely to review their progress.

Earlier, Hussain expressed his disappointment over the lack monitoring of such campaigns in Delhi. In an attempt to maintain these initiatives, the minister will ask every concerned authority to submit detailed reports of the work. The Department may consider continuing these ventures based on the progress report.

Senior officials are also likely to consult with India Meteorological Department, regarding the upcoming weather forecast for the city. According to the MeT Department, this year, the city witnessed a good monsoon and if they continue, it would be beneficial for plantation.