MCD to develop 500 ornamental parks in Delhi before 2010 CW Games

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) As part of the process of beautification of Delhi before the 2010 Commonwealth games while maintaining the green cover, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi plans to develop 500 ornamental parks in the city.

''In every zone of the MCD at least one herbal park and in each of the 272 Wards at least one children's park and two ornamental parks will be developed before the Commonwealth Games,''the chairman of the Garden Committee Ved Prakash Gupta told mediapersons here.

Addressing a press conference to announce the starting of Van Mahotsav-2007 from July 16 to augment greenery in Delhi and recharge the ever depleting water table, Mr Gupta said,''fertile soil will also be made available at the municipal parks. Modern playing apparatuses will be provided in parks.

All the grills will be painted well before Dusshera.'' Mr Gupta said senior BJP leader and MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra will inaugurate Van Mahotsav-2007 on July 16 at municipal park adjacent to Weldone School, Niti Bagh situated in South Zone.

Expressing concern over rapid urbanisation of Delhi in the last few decades that is constantly putting pressure on its green cover, Mr Gupta said,'' Though the introduction of CNG has significantly reduced air pollution yet increasing the green cover is imperative for curbing pollution as well as ground water recharge.'' In this context, he said the civic body has formulated a plan under which saplings will be planted on both sides of roads, parks, gardens, municipal schools and other institutions, both banks of nallahs and sanitary land fill sites.

''These saplings will be of various species that include Amla, Arjun, Jamun, Neem, Ashok, Pipal, Badh, Gulmohar etc.'' Mr Gupta said after inauguration of Van Mahotsav, similar functions will be organised in all the 12 Zones of MCD on July 18 where Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen and Members of Ward Committee will plant saplings to start the Plantation Drive. Besides, functions will be organised on July 21 in all the 272 Wards of MCD in which tree plantation will be carried out in parks, municipal school building and other institutions. It would also be ensured that saplings so planted during the Drive should survive.

Mr. Gupta said MCD was also seeking cooperation of people for maintaining parks and green areas, including central verges. It has entered into MOUs with various NGOs, Voluntary Organisations, Environmental Groups, Trusts, Resident Welfare Associations and Public Sector Undertakings for development and maintenance of parks. One new scheme titled Public-private partnership has also been approved.

''Under this scheme MCD will handover developed parks and central verges to above-mentioned organisations on certain terms and conditions,'' Mr Gupta informed.

UNI