Green area in Delhi up despite large scale infra development:Sheila

New Delhi, Jun 5 (UNI) The green area of Delhi has gone up from 26 sq km to around 300 kms during the last eight years, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said and gave the credit for expansion of green area and environment protection in the state to the vigilant and responsible citizens.

''The capital-city of Delhi is being accepted as the greenest Capital in the world. This has been possible only because of active contribution and cooperation of the people,''Ms Dikshit said while addressing a gathering in Delhi Secretariat on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Speaking at the event, where she inaugurated a compost pit and planted saplings in the compound of the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said expansion of greenery in Delhi has resulted in curbing climate change in the capital-city.

''The preservation of trees is getting due care. The people of Delhi are vigilant and they immediately inform the administration about cutting of trees in their areas. The government has made compensatory forestation mandatory wherein 10 saplings are necessary to be planted on loss of a tree,'' Ms Dikshit said at the event where a workshop on "Low Carbon Economy" was also organised.

Ms Dikshit said the state government has decided to grant Rs 20,000 on commissioning of a compost pit. It has been giving substantial grant to propagate rainwater harvesting. The government has developed 14 new city forests. A herbal garden is also coming up over an area of 170 acres.

She said two bio-diversity parks have been commissioned out of which one has already been opened at Burari and another at Vasant Kunj is in progress.

The Chief Minister said her government has started giving 30 per cent rebate on purchase of an electric small car with an aim to reduce pollution level. Air ambient quality has improved in Delhi, which in itself is a success story.

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