Tree ambulances to bamboo barriers: NDMC's vision for a greener Delhi
Initiatives such as 'Gap Filling Campaign' and 'End-to-End Green Cover' have been kicked off, aimed at eliminating brown patches across 80 major roads, junctions, and roundabouts. It is expected to reduce air pollution.
'Places where there was no green cover at all earlier, or where digging has taken place, have been identified as brown patches,' said an official.
NDMC Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal said in a press conference that the civic body will now use a 'smart watering' system to save water. 'A drip irrigation system will be in place. Water sprinklers, like the one present in Nehru Park, will be set up in other lawns and gardens,' the official explained.
Chahal also announced that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' 3,000 trees, 35 lakh shrubs, and 3,946 bamboo plants will be planted across 89 sites.
To keep the already planted trees healthy and safe, a tree ambulance has been deployed. 'The Plant Protection Cell at Lodhi Garden is equipped to conduct tree surgeries, termite and pest control, and soil treatments, supported by a dedicated team of one supervisor and four staff members,' Chahal said.
The prominent places included in the plantation drive are Shankar Road, Hailey Road, Barakhamba Road, Feroz Shah Road, Janpath, Mahadev Road, Sansad Marg, KG Marg, Peshwa Road, Tansen Marg, Udyan Marg, Bangla Sahib Road, RK Ashram Marg, Tilak Marg, Maulana Azad Road, Akbar Road, Panchsheel Marg, among others.
Tree species selected for plantation include varieties such as Arjun, Peepal, Champa, Jamun, Imli, Neem, Cassia Fistula (Amaltas), Ashoka, Khirni, Silver Oak, Harsingar, and Gulmohar. Shrub species include Murraya, Hemelia, Karonda, Bougainvillea, Calliandra, Justicia, Canna, and other patterned varieties.
The bamboo plants of Golden and Budha Valley will be planted at four selected locations — Akbar Road, Subramanium Bharti Marg, Krishna Menon Marg, and Mandir Marg. 'These will be planted along boundary walls to act as natural green screens and enhance biodiversity,' Chahal said.
'Despite covering only 3% of Delhi's total geographical area, NDMC contributes nearly 55% of the city's green cover,' Chahal said, adding that efforts are made by the civic body to keep the tag of the 'greenest urban local body in the country.'
The plan also includes installing 4,000 flower hanging baskets made from biodegradable coconut shells and promoting rooftop gardening.
Chahal added that the civic body plans to construct nine new decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) at Bapu Dham, Nehru Park, Akbar Road, AIIMS, among other places.
The civic body plans to rope in Union Ministers, foreign embassies, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Market Traders Associations (MTAs), Bar Associations, hospitals, private institutions, as well as both government and private schools.
Meanwhile, on July 27, 240 trees and 36,200 shrubs will be planted across 20 key locations to mark the festival of Hariyali Teej.
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