Delhi's green cover is all set for a boost as five lakh saplings are to be planted across the city by the forest department as part of a massive drive.
About 19 greening agencies, along with civic bodies, hospitals and educational institutions, will participate in the campaign which will be taken up in the current financial year, a release here said.
Additionally, the Eco Task Force of the Army, which is already working to restore the ravines in the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, will plant two lakh seedlings in the ensuing season, the release said.
"The department is working towards providing a... Green and internationally urban look to Delhi while also acquiring government waste land, uncultivated surplus land of Gaon Sabhas and new village lands in its quest for increasing the green cover of Delhi.
"With a few more rainy days, the parched earth will be ready to receive, nurture and nurse saplings that will be planted. During the monsoon season, the department would conduct massive plantation drives in waste land areas like Gumanherda, Shastri Park, Garhi Mandu and STP premises Kondli," the release said.
Seedlings will also be distributed free of cost to the general public from authorised Forest Nurseries as well as select retail outlets of Mother Dairy, petrol pumps and CNG filing stations, the release added.
