Various central government agencies in the NCR have also been asked to target about 12,07,000 plantations as per the plans for FY 2024-25 as against 6,29,500 for the FY 2023-24, i.e., an increase of over 91 per cent.

To enhance the green cover of the National Capital Region (NCR) towards abatement of air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has set a target of 4.5 crores tree plantation for NCR during the ongoing financial year (2024-25).

Extensive greening and plantation in open areas in the Delhi NCR, particularly along the central verges of roads, roadsides and pathways has been identified by the CAQM as an effective means towards mitigating high levels of dust, which is one of the prime concerns for poor air quality, particularly in the dry summer seasons in the entire NCR.

This comes simultaneously as the Supreme Court of India has initiated criminal proceedings against officials of the Delhi Development Authority and a few other people, for felling almost 1,100 trees in the Delhi ridge forest, illegally, against the order of the Supreme Court. It is not yet clear if this felling of trees was done on instructions of the lieutenant governor.

A cumulative target of about 4.29 crore plantations has been set during 2024-25 with individual targets of 56,40,593 for Delhi; 1,32,50,000 for Haryana (NCR); 42,68,649 for Rajasthan (NCR); and 1,97,56,196 for U.P. (NCR) respectively.

Various central government agencies in the NCR have also been asked to target about 12,07,000 plantations as per the plans for FY 2024-25 as against 6,29,500 for the FY 2023-24, i.e., an increase of over 91 per cent; with new central agencies also being roped in for this green initiative.

Academic institutions, higher education and research institutions have also been urged to launch extensive greening and plantation drives within and outside their respective campuses during 2024-25 with a cumulative plantation target of 9,08,742.

Miyawaki Technique

With only 28,81,145 new plantations carried out during 2021-22, efforts were stepped up significantly and 3,11,97,899 new plantations were carried out in the NCR during 2022-23. Setting up a further ambitious target of new plantations of about 3.85 crores for the entire NCR for 2023-24, about 3.6 crores plantations were successfully carried out during the year, thus, achieving an overall 93.5 per cent of the target. State-wise compliances with respect to the individual targets for 2023-24 in the NCR areas was 84.6 per cent for Delhi; 87.4 cent for Haryana; 86.2 per cent for Rajasthan; and 103.4 per cent for UP.

The Commission for Air Quality Management has emphasised on the large-scale greening and bio-barricading along the boundaries for educational institutions, research based organizations, and other commercial / industrial units. In wake of scarcity of open land areas in dense urban agglomerates, the commission has been promoting greening and plantation drives through effective urban forestry initiatives, particularly focusing on the Miyawaki Technique.

Further, the Commission has advised all the road owning agencies in the NCR to target complete greening of the central verges and medians of major trunk roads as also, to the extent possible, on road sides and open areas along the right of ways.

Monitoring

The following key points were highlighted by CAQM during the meetings with the representatives of NCR state governments, central agencies and major academic institutions, higher education and research institutions of NCR:

1. While carrying out plantation activities it has to be kept in mind that native plant species are used.
2. Monitoring, post plantation care, survival rate and plantation are key elements of the plantation programme.
3. The Commission has recommended shrubs with good height of 6-7 feet so as to provide adequate barrier for trapping dust from the environment.
4. Barricading along industrial areas, schools, colleges etc. with thick tree cover/ shrubs will also help arrest dust/ pollution.
5. Land availability for plantation activities is low in urban areas and, filling of gaps in the areas with plants, where conventional plantation has been done, may be undertaken to achieve dense plantation.
6. Monitoring of the survival rate of plantation is very important; replacement of the damaged/ dead plants is a must.
7. Involvement of NGOs and RWAs in plantation drive needs to be encouraged and in this regard various IEC activities may also be taken up by institutions.
8. If land area is not available with an institution within the campus, institutions may adopt land outside their campus with the help of government agencies, CBOs etc. Separate identification for dense planation, including the Miyawaki technique is preferred due to low availability of land.
9. Institutions should earmark sufficient funds for the purpose and UGC may also provide their support.
10. It was advised that plantation target for Financial Year should be at least 20 per cent more than the previous year.

The agencies concerned have been particularly advised to resort to plantations of native species and endeavour high survival rate through proper post-plantation care and nurturing.