AAP Govt to Deliver Free Plants at Doorsteps in Delhi

On Wednesday, Environment Minister Gopal Rai revealed that the Delhi government intends to increase green cover in the capital by delivering small plants and pots free of charge at people's doorsteps. The goal of this effort is to expand the number of plants and trees in the city, and the government intends to distribute them to inhabitants for free.

He stated in an interview with PTI that a team will be formed to identify plant species having a high mortality rate following transplantation. This group will also look into the effect of soil type and other factors on transplanted trees to improve their survival rate.

The most recent India State of Forest Report reveals that Delhi's green cover has risen from 21.88% to 23.06% of its geographical area.

Rai noted that the government is considering alternative measures to increase greenery in Delhi, such as urban farming, because the city will inevitably hit saturation.

“The forest department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are going to launch a pilot project to provide plants and pots free of cost to people at their doorsteps. We are conducting a ward-wise survey, asking people what type of plants they want. A survey is underway in one ward in my assembly constituency,” he said. 

Rai indicated that extra preparations for distributing plants and pots to people in other areas will be made as required. He also stated that "if the initiative is successful, we would be able to build a second green zone."

Experts in biodiversity say that choosing small plants to increase green cover in certain regions is more sustainable because they are easier to maintain and require fewer resources compared to larger plants.

The Delhi environment minister acknowledged that certain species have low survival rates and that the soil type in particular regions may not be suited for tree transplantation.

"A team is being formed to identify trees that have a dismal survival rate after transplantation. The forest department has been directed to ascertain the impact of soil type on the survival rate of the transplanted trees," he said.

According to data provided to the Delhi High Court by the forest department in May of last year, only 33.33 percent of the 16,461 trees transplanted in Delhi over the previous three years survived.

According to the Delhi government's tree transplantation policy, each agency engaging in development activity must ensure that at least 80 percent of the trees damaged by their actions are transplanted. Furthermore, the organizations hope to attain a minimum survival rate of 80 percent for the transplanted trees after one year.

The government of Delhi is set to introduce a 16-point initiative aimed at reducing pollution during the summer season later this month. Additionally, Rai, a representative of the government, has recognized the progress made in controlling dust pollution in the areas of the neighboring states that fall within the national capital region.

-HT/PTI

Also Read:- 

Delhi: Acres Of Land Cleared In Floodplain, Farmers Devastated

PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate The ‘Global Millets Conference’ in New Delhi Today