Delhi’s Green Belt Expansion Under LG’s Review

In a strategic move to bolster Delhi’s green infrastructure, Lieutenant Governor (LG) convened a high-level meeting on Thursday to evaluate the current status of the city’s afforestation efforts and to set forth a new roadmap for enhancing the urban green cover. This meeting marks a crucial step in the LG’s ongoing commitment to improving Delhi’s environmental sustainability and ecological resilience.

The review session, held at Raj Niwas, focused on assessing the progress of recent tree planting campaigns and setting ambitious new targets for the upcoming periods. According to official statements from Raj Niwas, Delhi’s afforestation efforts have seen significant progress over the past year, with over 48 lakh trees and shrubs planted in the fiscal year 2022-23 and an impressive 89 lakh trees planted in 2023-24. Of these, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was responsible for planting 14.61 lakh trees, showcasing a robust contribution to the city’s green initiatives. In response to the challenges posed by limited land availability for planting, the LG has directed the DDA and the Forest Department to implement innovative strategies to expand Delhi’s green cover. Notably, this year’s planting efforts have already seen the establishment of 67 lakh trees and shrubs despite spatial constraints.

A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of a special afforestation drive targeting the Narela-Bawana region. This initiative will focus on enhancing the green belt as outlined in the city’s master plan. Additionally, a novel approach will see the planting of fruit-bearing trees in the Ridge and surrounding forest areas, aiming to bolster the local ecosystem while also catering to the feeding needs of avian and animal species. The LG underscored the importance of exploring a diverse range of planting methodologies to optimise urban greening efforts. These include the creation of layered plantations, the development of Miyawaki forests, and the establishment of aquatic forests. Each of these methods represents a forward-thinking approach to urban afforestation, designed to address both ecological and environmental challenges.

Further advancing these objectives, the LG has mandated the development of a comprehensive future layout plan under the Green Layout Plan 2024-25. This plan is envisioned as a detailed strategy for augmenting the city’s green infrastructure and achieving long-term environmental sustainability. The LG emphasised the need for seamless coordination among the various stakeholders involved in Delhi’s green cover initiatives. This includes the Forest Department, DDA, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Effective collaboration among these entities is deemed essential for the successful execution of the city’s afforestation drives and the realisation of its environmental goals.