Directorate of Information & Publicity 
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY,
GOVERNMENT OF DELHI
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New Delhi: 21/03/2016
Delhi Government celebrated World Forestry Day and World Sparrow Day on Monday. On this occasion, a Nature Walk was organized at Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary which was attended by Sh. Prakash Javdekar, Minister of State, Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Govt. of India and Sh. Imran Hussain, Minister of Environment, Govt. of Delhi along with senior officers of Govt. of India and Govt. of Delhi as well as school children.
Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Delhi-Surajkund Border and attracts local visitors as well as school children.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife sanctuary area was earlier a mining area for Badarpur and other building material. Since 2000, the Forest Department of Delhi Govt. through 132 Infantry Battalion of Eco Task Force undertook rehabilitation of degraded and abandoned Mines in the area by taking up plantation. The area slowly rejuvenated with life, sustaining indigenous flora and fauna.
During the Nature Walk, a skit play was presented by school children before the Ministers highlighting the need of conservation of environment and control of pollution by emphasising on plantation and conservation of nature. The Ministers also took round of one big enclosure housing Cheetal and Black Buck.
Forest Department also apprised the Ministers about their plans for conservation of house sparrow which is also the state bird of Delhi. The Ministers showed keen interest in the nests specially developed for house sparrow which would ensure their better protection from predators.
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Imran Hussain thanked Sh. Prakash Javdekar for participating in the Nature Walk in the Wildlife Sanctuary. The Minister also briefed about the history of development of Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary and lauded the efforts of Forest Department and Eco-Task Force in developing the wildlife sanctuary. It was also informed that the Delhi Govt. is actively pursuing green drive by undertaking plantation and development of City Forest. Sh. Hussain also briefed about efforts being made by the Delhi Govt. to control air pollution in the City and for making Delhi more clean, green and a healthy city.
Sh. Javdekar praised the role of Delhi Govt. in developing Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary. He said that people should be encouraged to plant trees, as they will work as oxygen deposits for future like fixed deposits. Sh. Javdekar also sought public participation, especially school children, so that more trees are grown and adopted. He further emphasised on the need for planting of quality trees which are helpful in better control of air pollution and also do not require excess water for their growth. It was further informed that Govt. of India will emphasise on the need for scientific management for ensuring better growth and survival of trees, which will inter-alia include prescribing of minimum 6 ft. plants for tree plantation.
On this occasion, a Delhi Landmark Tree Map was also released by the Ministers depicting the kind of tree species generally available in various parts of the city which will be helpful in enabling the citizens to plant trees.
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