Govt to plant 5L saplings in 2016, asks agencies to carry out tree census

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said his government had asked land-owning and greening agencies such as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) and Irrigation and Flood Control Department to carry out a tree census in their respective jurisdictions, even as he announced that 10 lakh trees and 5 lakh saplings would be planted in Delhi this year.

Participating in a programme to celebrate the ‘World Environment Day’ at Garhi Mandu City Forest here, the Chief Minister said the agencies would be asked to get a third party audit done of the plantation undertaken.

“The government has set a target of planting 10 lakh trees and 5 lakh saplings of medicinal and herbal plants in Delhi...this government will promote effective plantation and steps will be taken to ensure that such plantations survive,” he said.

“The land-owning greening agencies will be asked to get a third party audit of these plantations undertaken. Besides, these agencies have been asked to conduct tree census that will ensure accountability of such agencies in survival and maintenance of plantations,” Kejriwal said.

Environment Minister Imran Hussain and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra also participated in the celebrations. 

Representatives of RWAs, NGOs, civil society groups and school children were also present. Delhi has 42 city forests.

Kejriwal said as the theme of celebration of this year’s ‘World Environment Day’ is ‘Go wild for life - Fight against the illegal trade in wildlife’, the government would launch a campaign and appeal to people to plant more trees and make Delhi green and clean. 

“In densely-populated cities like Delhi, city forests serve as lungs for the densely-populated areas by providing fresh air and natural environment essential for their healthy living,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the government was sensitive towards enriching the city’s biodiversity.