New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) planted over 1 lakh saplings and shrubs in a single day at 77 locations Friday as part of its annual plantation drive. Lieutenant governor TS Sandhu, who led the drive at Kamla Nehru Ridge in north Delhi, directed DDA to name a nodal officer for all plantation locations, who will be responsible for ensuring the survival of the planted saplings.The plantation done at Kamla Nehru Ridge included indigenous species such as anogeissus pendula (dhok), cassia fistula (amaltas), butea monosperma (dhak) and gmelina arborea (gamhar), all of which are well adapted to Delhi’s ecology and contribute significantly to strengthening biodiversity, improving wildlife habitats and enhancing the long-term ecological resilience of the Ridge.The other 76 locations of the plantation drive include Aravali Biodiversity Park, Aastha Kunj Park, Sanjay Van, green belts and parks at Narela, District Parks at Paschim Puri, Hauz Khas, Vasant Udyan and Dilshad Garden Deer Park.“Over one lakh native saplings and shrubs were planted using a diverse mix of indigenous species such as peepal, neem, jamun, Arjun, shisham, calendar tecoma, bougainvillea, murraya, hamelia, chandni and others, selected in accordance with the approved plantation plans for each site, with emphasis on species best suited to the local ecology and long-term ecosystem restoration,” said officials.During LG’s visit to the Ridge, he also visited the recently restored serpentine lake and butterfly conservatory, where he reviewed the hydrological restoration works undertaken by DDA to promote water conservation and ecological restoration in the Ridge area.“The plantation drive will expand Delhi’s green cover, rejuvenate degraded landscapes and create healthier ecosystems. DDA should make such plantation drives a regular practice, driven by the youth so that it will go a long way in preserving and restoring ecology,” said LG.The programme forms part of the 70-lakh plantation mission launched by Union home minister Amit Shah under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign on July 7. Under this mission, DDA has been entrusted with planting 23 lakh indigenous saplings across the national capital, out of which the target for the Ridge area in the current plantation season is around 1.8 lakh saplings and shrubs. Out of this target, DDA claims to have planted 12 lakh saplings so far.
