Directorate of Information & Publicity 
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION & PUBLICITY
GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI
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- 10 lakh new trees and 05 lakh new saplings will be planted this year in Delhi – Shri Arvind Kejriwal.
- 3rd party audit of these plantations will be undertaken – Chief Minister.
- Delhi Government Celebrates World Environment Day, 2016
- Chief Minister plants trees to celebrate Environment Day at Garhi Mandu City Forest, Delhi.
- The theme of celebration of this year’s World Environment Day is ‘GO WILD FOR LIFE -Fight Against the Illegal Trade in Wildlife.’
- The Land Owning Greening Agencies have been asked to conduct tree census- Chief Minister.
- Government will seek cooperation of all to make city green – Chief Minister
New Delhi: 05/06/2016
Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal today said that this year, Delhi Government has set a target of planting 10 lakh new trees and 05 lakh new saplings of medicinal and herbal plants in Delhi. The Chief Minister was speaking as Chief Guest, while planting the trees at Garhi Mandu City Forest to celebrate the World Environment Day in a function organised by the Environment Department, Government of Delhi. Minister of Environment & Forests & Wildlife Shri Imran Hussain & Minister of Tourism Shri Kapil Mishra were the Guests of Honour on this occasion. A large number of Representatives of RWAs, NGOs, Civil Societies Groups & School Children were also participated in the celebration.
Shri Kejriwal said that his Government will promote effective plantation and steps will be taken to ensure that such plantations survive. The Land Owning Greening Agencies will be asked to get 3rd party audit of these plantations undertaken. Besides this, all these agencies have also been asked to conduct Tree Census which will ensure accountability of such agencies in survival and maintenance of plantations
Shri Kejriwal further said that since the theme of celebration of this year’s World Environment Day is ‘GO WILD FOR LIFE -Fight Against the Illegal Trade in Wildlife,’Government will launch campaign and appeal people to plant more & more trees in order to make Delhi green & clean.
Chief Minister said that Delhi Government is sensitive towards enriching biodiversity of the city and lays special emphasis on conservation and survival of endangered species of plants and animals. The City Forests provide a conducive environment to such species for their revival as well as survival in local habitats. Garhi Mandu City Forest is located close to Wazirabad Village and Barrage in the North-Eastern part of the city. The City Forest covers around 890 acre land on the eastern side of River Yamuna and has been notified as City Forest under section 29 of Indian Forest Act, 1927. The City Forest has rich biodiversity and is home to more than 147 species of different kinds of animals viz. mammals, reptiles, butterflies and more than 65 species of plants including trees, herbs, shrubs, climbers and aquatic plant.
Chief Minister said that in densely populated cities like Delhi, City Forests serve as the lungs for the surrounding densely populated areas by providing fresh air and natural environment essential for their healthy living. These places attract thousands of morning and evening walkers daily. Development of Garhi Mandu as City Forest has also helped in checking soil erosion and preventing siltation of Yamuna river bed.
He said that Delhi has around 42 City Forests spread all over Delhi. Delhi Government proposes to develop them over a period of time for protecting natural flora and fauna besides providing local population a place forwalking/ jogging tracks. The City Forest being rich in biodiversity has the potential for developing as national ecotourism site.
Shri Kejriwal said that World Environment Day is being celebrated since 1973 to raise awareness for protection and promotion of environment with the active support of the public.
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