One Million saplings planted in Delhi every year: Sheila

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said planting of one million saplings every year has resulted in expansion of green area in Delhi, which has earned a special distinction of being the greenest Capital-city in the world.

Giving the entire credit for this big feat to school children who have been contributing substantially through more than 2000 eco-clubs functional in educational institutions, Ms Dikshit said she would visit New York for three days next month to showcase this achievement and apprise the world about involvement of an effective mechanism which has helped the city-government to make Delhi the greenest and pollution-free city.

Addressing school children in the Research and Referral Army Hospital at Delhi Cantt. where she inaugurated a plantation drive, Ms Dikshit said that in Delhi 18 agencies are involved in greening exercise. Functioning of all these agencies is being monitored regularly.

The city-government has, in all, developed 32 city forests, which has ensured clean air and soothing natural ambience. Apart from this, more than 500 retail centres of Mother Dairy, CNG and Petrol Pumps, Kendriya Bhandars are also being utilised for distribution of free saplings during greening season.

Ms Dikshit compllemented role of army personnel who have undertaken a major project of greening of Bhati Mines by planting more than seven lakh saplings over a five-year period. Bhati Mines area, which used to be rocky and barren, has now become less green.

Around 250 saplings were planted by Ms Dikshit at the function, where Delhi Environment Secretary J K Dadoo was also present.

On the occasion, the school kids also presented a colourful cultural programme on environmental protection.

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