Delhi Metro gives land to forest department for plantation

With an aim to expand the green cover in the city, the Delhi Metro has handed over a piece of land to the Forest Department for plantation activities.
The land, measuring 15 hectares, is located near Shastri Park, an official release said.
In collaboration with NGO Sustainable Green Initiative (SGI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) plans to carry out plantation drives in different parts of the city and plant over 25,000 saplings in the years to come, it said.
Delhi Metro has so far planted over 3 lakh trees and transplanted over 6,000 trees in various parts of Delhi, it said.

Under Phase I of its construction, DMRC was permitted to cut 14,505 tress, but it actually fell 13,858, saving 647 trees.
Under that phase, the forest department had planted 39,600 trees, out of which 3,584 were transplanted by DMRC.

Under Phase II, the forest department had allowed Delhi Metro to cut 24,453 trees, but only 17,997 were actually cut, saving 6,456 trees.
During this time, 3,04,651 trees were planted by the forest department and DMRC transplanted 3,052.
In the third phase, the Delhi Metro has obtained the permission to cut 16,001 trees, but efforts are being made to save at least 15 to 20 per cent of these trees, DMRC Corporate Communication Executive Director Anuj Dayal said.