Dy CM Manish Sisodia approves Rs 140.74 crore in Expenditure Finance Committee meeting to boost Delhi’s greenery
Restoration of green area in Delhi is a kind of investment which will give better environment and better health to residents of Delhi: Dy CM Manish Sisodia
The Kejriwal Government is determined to provide clean air to the residents of Delhi and in this direction we are continuously working on increasing the green cover of the state: Dy CM Manish Sisodia
Kejriwal Government extends the term of the Eco Task Force for five years, members to work on ‘mission mode’ to protect the forest and wildlife
Forest land in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Dera Mandi, Ghittorni, Maidangarhi, Rangpuri, Tughlaqabad, Pul Pehladpur and Rajokri of Southern Ridge area to eco-restored under the project
NEW DELHI:
To increase the green cover and improve the air-quality in the national capital, the Kejriwal Government will plant 10 lakh saplings across various degraded forest lands in Delhi. The budget for the said project worth Rs 140.74 crores was approved by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Manish Sisodia in the meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) held recently. The Deputy Chief Minister said, “The Kejriwal Government is determined to provide clean air to the residents of Delhi and in this direction we are continuously working on increasing the green cover of Delhi. This is not just an allocation of funds but investment for the quality of health of Delhi residents. Over the years the green cover has grown in the national capital and it will be further improved after plantation of 10 lakh saplings. This project will help us restore Delhi’s green lungs.”
It is to be noted that the green cover of Delhi has increased from 299.77sqkm in 2015 to 342sqkm in 2021.
Shri Manish Sisodia added that as a part of the project the forest land in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Dera Mandi, Ghittorni, Maidangarhi, Rangpuri, Tughlaqabad, Pul Pehladpur and Rajokri of Southern Ridge area, which has large chunk of less vegetated forest areas will be eco-restored by suppression/removal of invasive species, Wildlife Habitat improvement and soil moisture conservation measures.
Notably, the forest department will plant more than 6 lakh saplings on ‘mission mode’ before this monsoon and another 4 lakh saplings in next monsoon season, which is the best time for planting. Along with native species of Aravali, the saplings shortlisted for plantation include specially grown plant species in the upgraded nursery of the forest department.
These plantations will be taken care of by the Eco Task Force appointed by the Delhi’s forest department.
What is Kejriwal Government’s Eco Task Force
Delhi Government has now approved the tenure of the Eco Task Force for another five years, which will be responsible for maintaining the plantations, protecting the forest areas from threat of encroachment and supporting the forest department in minimizing the threat to thriving wildlife in the area.
Ex. Servicemen/officers from the territorial army will be engaged in the Eco Task Force for the creation of a plantation of 10 lakh saplings and its maintenance for five years. The work will be fully managed by this Task Force.