Monsoons to help address depleting groundwater reserves in Capital

As the monsoon hit the coasts of Kerala on Wednesday, its quick arrival in city with good showers in store is the most desired now. It will not only help reduce the heat and humid climatic conditions in the national Capital but would also address the depleting groundwater reserves in several parts of Delhi. 

The 299.77 sq km of green cover of the city has been a major source for groundwater recharging capacities. However, the urban challenges have started to take a toll on it. Not only is 111 sq km area of tree cover in the city facing difficulties but also the 188.77 sq km of forested area in the city is ridden with a variety of problems.

A senior official from the Delhi government’s environment ministry highlights that besides the visible challenges of shrinking forest areas and encroachment, there are also challenges of ageing of trees and also in today’s situation how Prosopis Juliflora (Kikar) is not as relevant as it used to be in the past.

“Most of the trees especially in the forest areas of the ridge were introduced by the British and are more than 100 years old and are slowly dying. Also Kikar, the most visible tree especially along the Southern Ridge, is not that relevant as in past.”

Speaking of the losing significance of Kikar, the official said: “Kikar was planted on large scale by the British to absorb the dust particles that used to come from regions of Rajasthan and Haryana. 

But Kikar is not a good aquifer. At a time when parts of the city are having low groundwater reserves, Kikar’s relevance is lessening in enhancing the groundwater reserves.”

As most of the forested areas of the southern parts of the city belong to the Delhi government, there are plans of planting indigenous varieties of trees like Prospis 

Cineria (Khejri), Senegalia Catechu (Khair), Cordia Dichotma (Lasoda), Butea Monosperma (Palash). The eco task force has been formed to carry out the works in this field.

When asked by Millennium Post that if this move to gradually phase out Kikar tree will help, the official said: “Kikar has a good regenerating capacity. However, amidst other breed of trees, it gradually dies down slowly provided those breeds are taken care of.”