The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has launched an extensive plantation drive across the city, following the directives of Lieutenant Governor T S Sandhu. This major urban afforestation programme aims to plant nearly 23 lakh native saplings, including trees, shrubs, and bushes, across 1,000 acres of land—equivalent to nearly 4 square kilometres—at multiple locations throughout the capital.
Coverage and Objectives
The plantation drive will cover 675 DDA parks, four ridge areas (south-central, Nanakpura, central, and northern ridges), six biodiversity parks, green corridors, and other ecologically sensitive zones. An official stated, “The initiative aims to enhance green cover, strengthen biodiversity, improve air quality, and build climate resilience.” The programme is expected to bring nearly 2.9% of Delhi’s total geographical area under a focused urban afforestation and ecological restoration effort.
Timeline and Preparatory Work
Plantation activities are scheduled to commence in the first week of July and continue through mid-September. The focus will be on increasing native and climate-resilient species. Officials confirmed that preparatory work is already underway, including 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.
This initiative represents a significant step toward expanding Delhi’s green footprint and strengthening its ecological infrastructure. By targeting a wide range of locations and employing careful planning, the DDA aims to make a lasting impact on the city’s environment.
