Delhi sets a target to plant 20 lakh saplings this monsoon

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has set a target to plant 20 lakh saplings this monsoon and develop six new city forests in the national Capital under the 'green budget' initiative. The government will also remove Mexican Mesquite tree species known as 'Vilyatee Kikar' in the Central Ridge Area between SP Marg and Vande Matram Marg as part of its initiative to make Delhi 'Kikar-free' as announced in the 2018-19 Budget, according to a government statement.

In a meeting on Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the work to achieve the greening target for the current fiscal under the green budget.

The department informed that 20.13 lakh saplings (8.67 lakh tree saplings, 7.20 lakh shrubs and 4.25 lakh saplings for free distribution to the public) will be planted in the current financial year by all 20 greening agencies and departments, the government said.

It stated that a campaign will be launched in June where the RWAs, market associations and NGOs would be urged to take up tree plantation on a large scale on vacant land in their areas. On removing 'Vilayati Kikar' in Central Ridge Area (between SP Marg and Vande Matram Marg), officers informed the minister that kikar trees will be trimmed to create open space for planting of local plant species underneath them, the statement said.