Delhi's green cover increased ten-fold in nine years:CM

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the forest and tree cover in the capital has increased ten-fold in the past nine years.

In 1998, it was was 30 sq km and that has increased to 300 sq km in 2007 because of concerted efforts of the Delhi Government, she said at a function on the occasion of World Environment Day.

She said for achieving the aim of bringing 33 per cent of geographical area under forest cover, as envisaged in the National Forest Policy 1988, her Government has decided to develop nine new city forests in addition to the existing 14 city covers.

The new city forests would be developed at Issapur (66.25 hectare), Rewla Khanpur(22.85 hectare), Kharkari Jatmal (50.00 hectare), Sultan Pur Dabas (24,76 hectare), Auchandi (0.5 hectare), Mungesh Pur (13.5 hectare), Qutab Garh )27.77 hectare), Hindon Cut Ghazipur (5.00 hectare) and Harewali (24.80 hectare) She called upon people to rededicate themselves for conservation of environment and earth, keeping in view the challenges arising because of global warming and climate change.

As part of the programme, 3000 saplings were planted today in Garhi Mandu.

The Delhi Government has been developing Garhi Mandu as a green forest area where around 40,000 saplings have been planted in the last two years. The survival rate has been 85 per cent. It has been observed that survival of saplings is affected due to the presence of Neel Gais therefore, the department has decided to plant those species of plants which are not liked by Neel Gais for their feed.

Talking to mediapersons on this occasion, Ms Dikshit said her government is also considering the channelisation of river Yamuna by commissioning three big ponds which would help in re-charging the flow of water.

All these efforts would help bring back the lost glory of the Yamuna river, she claimed. The main purpose of the Yamuna Cleaning Drive is to make the citizens of Delhi aware about protecting the river from pollution.

Ms Dikshit also inaugurated a seminar on 'Environmental issues on Delhi' wherein she released 'Greening Delhi Action Plan 2007-08' and a booklet on 'Glimpses of Nature' at 3 Motilal Nehru Place.

A Nature Trail has been commissioned at 3 Motilal Nehru Place which is visited regularly by school children. This year, the target of greening Delhi is 18.90 lakh saplings including free saplings.

The target will be achieved with the help of different departments and agencies.

The society of Indian Automobiles Manufacturers handed over a mobile vehicular pollution-checking vehicle to the Delhi Government.

UNI