2 crore trees, shrubs planted in Delhi over 4 yrs: Gopal Rai

“The audit reports for trees planted before Covid have been received; they reveal that the survival rate… has been between 60-75%,” said Rai.
He also said the target of planting 2 crore trees and shrubs had been met in four years, instead of five.

Since the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha polls will be enforced soon, these departments have been instructed to prepare their reports to ensure the plantation drive for the next year is started as soon as the monsoon season begins.

“We have set different targets for 21 departments working in Delhi… These 21 agencies will together help us achieve the goal of planting 63 lakh trees in Delhi in the year 2024-2025,” said Rai.

According to documents accessed, the target of planting 96.29 saplings was set in 2023-24, making this year’s target significantly less.

As per the documents, out of the 21 agencies, 8 were unable to meet the targets set last year: forest department (fell short by 86,473); MCD (by 61,797); NDMC (by 14,88,778); PWD (by 31,164); Education Department (by 46,401); Higher and Technical Education Department (by 50,084); and DMRC (fell short by 296). Notably, the Northern Railways failed to plant any of the 20,000 trees allocated, going by the documents.
This year, documents show, a target of 20.06 lakh trees has been set for the Forest Department; 10.03 lakh trees for DDA; 6.19 lakh trees for MCD; 6.02 lakh trees for NDMC; 3.90 lakh for PWD; 3.24 lakh for the Education Department; 1.18 lakh for Higher Education Department; 1.18 lakh for NTPC; DSIIDC, 70,900; Delhi Jal Board, 37,500; BSES 35,400; CPWD 31,200; Railways 23,600; DUSIB 14,700; Delhi Cantonment 11,900; NDPL 11,800; NHAI 70,000; DMRC 3,000; Irrigation and Flood Control Department 40,000; Environment Department 1,700; and DTC 1,500 trees.