DDA to plant 1 lakh saplings at Shastri Park

New Delhi, March 12

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will plant one lakh trees in Shastri Park area as part of plans to rejuvenate the Yamuna floodplains, a statement from Lieutenant-Governor’s (L-G) office said today.

The statement comes a day after the L-G inspected the Shastri Park-Bela Farm-Garhi Mandu area of the flood plains in northeast Delhi and directed officials to clean, restore and rejuvenate the 11 km-long stretch.

Even as the DDA was instructed to immediately ensure plantation of 1 lakh trees at the Shastri Park site, the entire 11-km stretch on the eastern bank, upstream from Shastri park to Garhi Mandu will undergo a thorough make over, it added.

The DDA will plant one lakh trees at Shastri Park apart from different species of riverine grass, bamboo and other flowering/fruit-bearing trees to rejuvenate the floodplains, the statement read.

“The L-G took an on-site stock of the situation and instructed officials to immediately ensure steps to clean, restore and rejuvenate the degraded flood plains,” the statement said.

“Once rejuvenated by the DDA, this site will develop as a one-of-its-kind public green space in the locality, which has been suffering the most due to unplanned urbanisation and degradation. The area adjoins localities like Seelampur, Shastri Park and Shahdara, it said. The main components of the rejuvenation work includes physical cleaning of the banks and flood plains by removing garbage, dumped construction and demolition waste, animal waste and encroachments, it said.

It includes cleaning and desilting, restoration and maintenance of the two main water bodies by the DDA on the banks of the Yamuna with the aim of inter-connecting all the water bodies through a channel to ensure uniform water levels and carrying out extensive plantation throughout the stretch in a triple grid layered design.

The L-G , who is also the Chairman of the High-Level Committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal , to oversee the 'rejuvenation of river Yamuna', has been chairing meetings with concerned departments and inspecting the Yamuna. — Agencies