New Delhi: Envisioning a much greener NCR, CAQM now sets a much higher target of 4.5 crore plantations for the entire NCR during FY 2024-25 by various bodies concerned in the NCR State Governments/GNCTD, Central Government, and Academic Institutions, Higher Education/Research Institutions.

Extensive greening and plantation in open areas in NCR, particularly along the central verges of roads, roadsides, pathways, etc., have all along been identified by the Commission 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. Leaving no stone unturned to enhance the green cover of the National Capital Region (NCR) towards abatement of air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has crossed significant milestones in this endeavor in active participation and collaboration with all the NCR State Governments, the Government of NCT of Delhi, various agencies in the Central Government, including academic and scientific research-based institutions located in NCR.

With a humble beginning in this direction, 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 crore for the NCR State Governments/GNCTD in the entire NCR for 2023-24, about 3.6 crore plantations were successfully carried out during the year, thus achieving an overall 93.5% of the target. State-wise compliances with respect to the individual targets for 2023-24 in the NCR areas were 84.6% for Delhi, 87.4% for Haryana, 86.2% for Rajasthan, and 103.4% for U.P. respectively.

The Commission has been according due emphasis on large-scale greening and Bio-Barricading along the boundaries for educational institutions, research-based organizations, and other commercial/industrial units. In wake of the 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 NCR to target complete greening of the central verges/medians of major trunk roads as also, to the extent possible, on roadsides and open areas along the right of ways.

During the meetings with the representatives of NCR State Governments/GNCTD, Central Agencies, and major academic institutions, higher education/research institutions of NCR, the following key points were highlighted by CAQM:

• While carrying out plantation activities, it has to be kept in mind that native plant species are used.
• Monitoring, post-plantation care, survival rate, and plantation are key elements of the plantation programme.
• The Commission has recommended shrubs with a good height of 6-7 feet to provide an adequate barrier for trapping dust from the environment.
• Barricading along industrial areas, schools, colleges, etc. with thick tree cover/shrubs will also help arrest dust/pollution.
• 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.
• Monitoring the survival rate of the plantation is very important; replacement of the damaged/dead plants is a must.
• Involvement of NGOs and RWAs in the plantation drive needs to be encouraged and in this regard, various IEC activities may also be taken up by institutions.
• 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 plantation, including the Miyawaki technique, is preferred due to the low availability of land.
• Institutions should earmark sufficient funds for the purpose and UGC may also provide their support. The Commission has already requested UGC in this regard.
• It was advised that the plantation target for the financial year should be at least 20% more than the previous year.

The Commission shall closely monitor the progress of the implementation of the comprehensive Greening Action Plan for NCR, including the state-wise plantation targets. The agencies concerned have been particularly advised to resort to plantations of native species and endeavor a high survival rate through proper post-plantation care and nurturing. /BI