World Environment Day: Delhi government asks green agencies to carry out tree census

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said his government has asked land-owning and greening agencies like DDA, PWD, MCD, Irrigation and Flood Control Department to carry out a tree census in their jurisdiction even as he announced that 10 lakh new trees and 5 lakh new saplings will be planted across Delhi this year.

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

“Delhi government has set a target of planting 10 lakh new trees and 5 lakh new 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.

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

Delhi 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. There are about 42 city forests spread all over Delhi.

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’, government will launch a campaign and appeal to people to plant more trees to make Delhi green and clean.

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

The Chief Minister said the Delhi government is sensitive towards enriching biodiversity of the city and lays special emphasis on conservation and survival of endangered species of plants and animals.