Return to roots

As the late monsoon showers wiped out the rain deficit in the Capital,the Forest department officials worked out a strategy to ensure successful plantation at the Ridge,the first of the season.

Result: for the first time,check dams have been created in the Delhi Ridge,which falls on the undulating terrain of the denuded Aravalli hills.

Last week,work towards creating a Ridge with plants native to Delhi started. Among the species planted were the Karaya gum and Mahua,two species which have been extinct from the Delhi Ridge for decades. And aiding the plants are freshly dug check dams which will prevent water run-offs.

The dams have been created either near natural streams or on the bottom of hills in the rocky,uneven Central Ridge. The first six check dams have been dug in the Ridge opposite Maurya Sheraton Hotel.

The dams take advantage of the fact that most of the Aravalli terrain is undulating and suitable for digging trenches.

With this the Ridge Revitalisation plan by the Centre of Management of Degraded Ecosystems and the Department of Environment,which was finalised two years ago,has finally got a shot in the arm.

The plan comprises mainly of weeding out invasive species,planting Aravalli species and upgrading the quality of the forest from degraded forest to dense forests. The Central and Northern Ridge for example has weeds like Vilayati Kikar and gaps between trees,which means special attention needs to be paid to develop canopy cover.

The plan,however,could not kick off till this year. This year,too,plantation was delayed due to rains.

“While planting the saplings,survival and water retention is a major concern. We are digging these dams as there is no way of keeping the water near the freshly planted saplings. We will make 600 small check dams all over the Ridge. Conducive conditions are crucial as we want that the trees to not only survive but also proliferate over the Ridge; these species are not found in sizeable numbers,” Conservator of Forests D M Shukla,said.

“The Central Ridge is rocky and in several cases the rock outfaces are visible. Soil levels are shallow in several areas so augmenting water is very important,” Environment Secretary Dharmendra,said.

At the foot of the dams,water tolerant species like Semal,Babool,Bel and Jamun have been planted.