Delhi Govt targets to plant 1.8 million saplings in 2008

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) To give further boost to urban environment improvement project in Delhi, the Government has set the target of planting 1.8 million saplings in 2008 and covering nine new areas under the city forest area plan.

''Delhi has emerged as one of the most green capitals in the world and we want to improve upon this. This year we are targetting to plant 1.8 million saplings,'' said Delhi Environment Secretary J K Dadoo in his address at a 'World Environment Day' event organised by the Indian Federation of United Nations Association.

He said Delhi had 300 sq kms of the total 1,400 sq km area under green cover, compared to just 30 sq km in 1999.

''Today 19 per cent of Delhi is green against three per cent in 1999... this is unprecedented,'' he pointed out.

Mr Dadoo said under the afforestation Act in Delhi, as many as nine new areas will be covered as part of the city forest area plan.

''Delhi's population is 15 million and has a population density of 10,000 people to a sq km ... for environmental managers it poses a stiff challenge,'' he added.

He said the last decade was marked by an unprecedented growth in human population and the associated increase in industrial activity and vehicular traffic which led the city to an environmental and ecological crisis.

''In 1996, Delhi was ranked as the 4th among the 41 most polluted cities in the world,'' he added.

UNI