28-05-2025
12k flowering saplings to be planted at central Ridge
New Delhi: Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department plans to beautify the forest stretch along Sardar Patel Marg by planting 12,000 flowering trees and shrubs. Around the Central Ridge near the Sardar Patel Marg boundary, 1,200 each of Amaltas, Queen's Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), and Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea) will be planted, along with approximately 8,400 bougainvillea shrubs.
Saplings, 10–12 feet tall, will be planted during the upcoming monsoon, with flowers expected from next year.
A senior forest official said, "We aim to enhance the forest area along Sardar Patel Marg with native flowering species to improve its visual appeal. A tender has been floated, and plantation will begin in the monsoon."
Earlier attempts to grow Chinar and Cherry blossom trees here failed. These were planted near SP Marg ahead of the G20 summit, anticipating the route would be used by delegates and VIPs, but both species did not survive.
Delhi's ridges include northern, central, south-central, and southern ridge, spanning a total of around 7,777 hectares. The southern ridge is the largest at 6,200 hectares, followed by central ridge (864 ha), south-central ridge (626 ha), and northern ridge (87 ha). TNN