Van Mahotsav drive: 2,000 saplings planted

The Delhi government which has set a target of planting 10 lakh new trees and 5 lakh shrubs in the current financial year celebrated ‘Van Mahotsava’, a month-long plantation drive, on Friday at Bela Farm. Wherein, around 2,000 saplings were planted in the presence of Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. The environment festival by the Department of Environment and Forest of the Delhi government started on July 15 and will continue for the next three weeks.

The plantation drive was carried out by the dignitaries along with school children, NCC scouts, civil defence volunteers, Eco Task Force and officials of the Department of Environment and Forest.

Speaking on the occasion, Hussain highlighted the efforts of the government in increasing the green cover of Delhi through massive plantations drives. He also highlighted the initiatives being undertaken by of the Department of Environment and Forest in association with the Department of Tourism to promote effective plantations in Delhi and many more such drives are being planned in the city.

Hussain further said that the initiative has been introduced in July-August as the climatic conditions are conducive for trees like neem, pilkhan, barh, jamun, amla, baherha, hingot, palash and some others. The Delhi government has set a target of planting 10 lakh new trees and 5 lakh shrubs in the current financial year, added Hussain.

Similarly, Tourism minister Kapil Mishra emphasised upon the importance of trees and plants. He said that trees are a man’s best friend since they serve mankind in a variety of ways and provide us with all good things. The minister also proposed a plantation drive in Karawal Nagar area on Sunday.

A forest department official noted: “Bela Farm is situated near Shastri Park and is spread over an area of 32 hectare. The plantation is currently being done on 20 hectare as part of compensatory afforestation against diversion of forest land for the construction of Vinod Nagar Depot of DMRC.”

“Around 34,000 saplings will be planted during this monsoon season. The remaining area will be afforested against the tree felling permissions granted under The Delhi (Preservation) of Trees Act, 1994,” added the official.

More than 3,000 students participated in the celebration of Van Mahotsav. A Nukkad Natak by the students from Little Flower Public Sr Sec School, Shahdara and Rukmini Devi Public School, Pitampura highlighting the present situation of the environmental conditions and the importance of trees in our life was highly applauded by the dignitaries and public present.

It may be mentioned that plantation drives are being carried out in various parts of city/Assembly constituencies from July 15 onwards on daily basis by concerned MLAs and RWAs with the help of Delhi Park and Garden Society, Forest Department and others.