DDA Launches Massive Plantation Drive Across City

New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated an extensive plantation drive across the city.As part of this major urban afforestation programme launched as per LG T S Sandhu’s direction, nearly 23 lakh native saplings, comprising trees, shrubs, and bushes, are proposed to be planted across 1,000 acres of land, equivalent to nearly 4 square kilometres, at multiple locations.“The plantation drive will cover 675 DDA parks, four ridge areas including south-central, Nanakpura ridge, central ridge and northern ridge, six biodiversity parks, green corridors and other ecologically sensitive zones. The initiative aims to enhance green cover, strengthen biodiversity, improve air quality and build climate resilience,” said an official.The initiative aims to substantially expand Delhi’s green footprint and strengthen its ecological infrastructure. “The ongoing initiative is expected to bring nearly 2.9% of Delhi’s total geographical area under a focused programme of urban afforestation and ecological restoration,” he added.Plantation activities are scheduled to commence in the first week of July and continue up to mid-Sept, with a focus on increasing native and climate-resilient species. Officials said that preparatory work for the plantation drive is already underway and includes site identification and demarcation, soil preparation and pit digging, development of irrigation arrangements, species selection based on ecological suitability, strengthening of nursery stocks, and plantation logistics.