Most saplings planted during drive fine, some not watered enough, finds Minister

Environment Minister Imran Hussain at the plantation site on Thursday.

Almost two weeks after a tree plantation drive was conducted across Delhi, an inspection by Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain on Thursday found that most plants appeared to be growing normally, but some pockets had not been watered adequately.

On September 8, the Delhi government, its agencies and other organisations held a mass plantation drive, with 5 lakh saplings being planted at 643 locations, a government statement said.

Mr. Hussain visited the site of the biggest plantation, Garhi Mandu, to check whether the saplings were being cared for properly.

“During Thursday’s inspection, the Minister observed that while overall the plantation showed normal growth, at some pockets it appeared that the plantation was not adequately watered/taken care of [sic],” the government statement said.

Mr. Hussain told the Forest Department to ensure that all saplings are cared for.

“The Minister stated that all greening agencies should strive to ensure 100% survival rate of the plantation or thereabouts. Only then the real purpose of reducing air pollution by tree plantation will be achieved [sic],” the government said.

During the mass plantation drive, around 70 indigenous species of trees and shrubs were planted. These included mango, jamun, guava, imli and gulmohar.