Delhi’s green cover is under threat

NEW DELHI: Think Delhi, and you automatically visualise its extensive green cover. Though a recent survey by the government shows that the forest and tree cover in the Capital has increased by 18 per cent, Delhiites are an increasingly worried lot. And why wouldn't they be, considering a week ago almost 150 trees were uprooted and 500 lost their branches in a squall.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday also instructed all departments to prepare an action plan for preserving green cover as well as landscape parks. All these efforts are being taken to make Delhi the greenest city in the country before the Commonwealth Games commences.

But how does one make the Capital greener? By planting more saplings is the immediate answer. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has a target of planting 1,75,000 saplings this year. The NDMC, which takes care of the greenest parts of Delhi is also doing its bit by planting another 15,000 saplings. Yet, it is not enough, say senior officials in the Horticulture department.

"The problem lies in the existing trees. Most trees are over 50 years old as they were planted when Lutyens Delhi was established. They have come of age and need to be replaced," says an environmentalist.

While the NDMC has more than 95,000 trees, the MCD has 14,190 parks under it. "We have done a census wherein the age and species of every tree was checked. The data is being collated," says NDMC chairperson Sindhushree Khullar. Interestingly, more than 50 years later, the trees are still planted according to Lutyens original plan for Delhi.

Another problem in the Capital is that of cemented pathways.  Water can seep in to provide growth and decomposition of these leaves. The movement of rodents and earthworms also keeps the soil porous. Yet, all this is obstructed by a cemented pathway. Excavation of roads for laying underground communication cables and pipelines also destroys the roots of the trees.