RWAs in New Delhi plant 50,000 saplings

In a measure to boost eco-friendly practices, 50,000 saplings were planted by several resident welfare associations (RWAs) in New Delhi area on Saturday.

With this, a total of nearly four lakh samplings have been planted during ongoing monsoon season in New Delhi area.

Naresh Kumar, chairperson of New Delhi Municipal Council, extended his heartiest gratitude towards the members of the RWAs and market traders associations in New Delhi area for their dedicated participation and enthusiasm in planting saplings in their parks, gardens and surrounding areas.

Kumar said that planting saplings is a simple but positive step taken by the people to combat the deterioration of ecological balance not only in the capital city, but in the entire universe.

He further said that the green cover of any area would not only attract and invite downpour, but also act as the lungs of the city.

He added that it is the need of hour to plant as many as trees as possible and "nurture them like our own children."

The idea behind NDMC intensive plantation drive for this year's monsoon is to systematically engage each and every stakeholder and people of all walks of life in New Delhi area, Kumar said.

About 50,000 saplings of indigenous trees, including fruit-bearing ones, timber, herbal, shrubs and ornamental were planted on Saturday.

So far, more than four lakh saplings have already been planted in different localities in the NDMC area.

The target fixed by the Council for this monsoon season is 10 lakh.

NDMC consists nearly 48 per cent of the total green cover of the city, which the Council aims to raise to 50 per cent.

The Council maintains 1,450 acre of green area and seven major parks in its area, namely Central Park, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden, Nehru Park, Sanjay Jheel and two Rose Gardens on Shanti Path.

Additionally, the Council also boasts of 122 colony parks, six nurseries, 981 CPWD parks, 52 schools greens, 51 roundabouts, 14 markets garden and about 15,000 avenue trees.