On the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday, the Delhi government inaugurated the 'Butterfly Park' in Asola Bhatti Wild Life Sanctuary at Tughlaqabad Shooting Range and dedicated it to the people.
Delhi Minister of Development Gopal Rai was the Chief Guest and Environment Minister Imran Hussain was the Guest of Honour at the programme. The theme of this year's Environment Day is 'Connecting People to Nature'.
The Park is spread over three acres of land and has over 60 varieties of native trees, 25 varieties of host plants and 30 varieties of nectar plants. So far, butterfly cycle of 64 species has been recorded in this park. The government is also in the process of developing of rockery at the site.
Rai planted a sapling of barh, while Hussain planted a sapling of Amla on the occasion. Other dignitaries also carried out plantation at the site.
Addressing the gathering, the Environment Minister appreciated the efforts of officers and staff of the Environment and Forest Department for developing the Park in a short span of time.
Hussain stressed upon the need for spreading awareness about greenery and plantation among the masses so that the Earth can be saved from the ill-effects of air pollution and environmental degradation.
He also highlighted the role of the Delhi Park and Garden Society in enhancing green cover of Delhi by involving RWAs and public for developing and maintaining parks and gardens all over the city.
Hussain stressed the role of children in tree plantation and asked them to adopt at least one tree, give them a name and treat them as one of their siblings.
Rai termed air pollution "an invisible enemy of mankind" and emphasised on effective tackling by the society. He recalled the Delhi government's successful campaigns – Car Free Day and Odd-Even Scheme. The said campaigns were found to be effective in spreading the message of pollution control and environment sensitivity.
Rai also gave the gathering a background of environment degradation and pollution conditions prevailing in Sweden, when it was decided by the United Nations to start celebrating World Environment Day on June 5, 1972. This initiative enabled Sweden's capital Stockholm being declared as Europe's Environment Capital sometime back.
He urged people to take up the fight against pollution in a similar way.