Delhi's green cover to be increased to 25% in coming years, says CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the citys green cover has to be increased from the existing 23 per cent to 25 per cent in the coming years to make the national capital worlds greenest and cleanest cityKejriwal attended a Van Mahotsav where Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena was the chief guest He said this year more than 1 crore saplings will be planted across the city adding that 275 lakh saplings have already been plantedSaxena said the chief ministers observations need to be implemented and the green cover of the city be enhanced from 23 per cent to 25 per cent in the next two yearsA bonhomie was visible between Saxena and Kejriwal the two constitutional figures at loggerheads over governancerelated issues in Delhi I am very happy that the honourable chief minister is present among us in this programme Saxena said in his addressLast years Van Mahotsav programme at Asola Bhati Mines sanctuary was marred with controversy over the poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the programme venue The programme held in July last year was not attended by Kejriwal and his party had accused the Centre and the LG of hijacking the event organised by the Delhi governments forest departmentAt 23 per cent Delhis green cover is higher than cities like Mumbai Kolkata and Bengaluru as well as London and New York the chief minister said This is a matter of happiness and encouragement for us But we cannot sit idle and it should be increased further After one to two years it should be up to 25 per cent and further 27 per cent he saidKejriwal cautioned that if we sit idle and are satisfied with the 23 per cent green cover it will reduce to 21 per cent and further to 19 per cent We cannot let it Delhis green cover reduce We need to increase it he saidThe AAP supremo also observed that world over expansion of cities has impacted their respective green covers but despite fast growth in Delhi its green cover has increased He also mentioned the air pollution problem of the city saying the air quality has improved since 2015 with more clean air days nowSince 2015 to present year pollution in Delhi has declined by 30 per cent and the clean air days numbers have gone up to 163 days this year he said The chief minister also urged people to strive for making Delhi the worlds greenest and cleanest cityDuring the Van Mahotsav event held at Asola Bhati Mines wildlife sanctuary 55 lakh saplings were plantedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever