Delhi is the 'greenest' capital city in world, claims Sheila Dikshit

New Delhi: Citing rise in green cover, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Delhi has become the “greenest” capital city in the world. “Delhi is the greenest capital in the world today as its green cover has gone up to 22 percent,” she said after participating in a plantation drive at Kondli area of the city. The Government had launched a plantation drive in June aiming to plant 15 lakh saplings during the monsoon season with an aim to further increase the green cover of Delhi. Dikshit exhorted citizens to plant saplings in the city during the monsoon and tend them delicately to ensure their survival. She pointed out that children had contributed substantially in expanding the capital’s green cover. “The credit for increase in green cover goes to school children and eco-clubs. Everybody should learn from the children who have been involved in plantation drive for more than 10 years,” she said. [caption id=“attachment_1050951” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Sheila Dikshit is seen in this file photo. PTI[/caption] Around 300 school children joined Dikshit in planting saplings. Deputy Speaker of Delhi Assembly Amrish Gautam, Environment Secretary Sanjiv Kumar, Delhi jal Board CEO Debashree Mukherjee were among others present on the occasion. The Chief Minister said over 5,000 saplings would be planted at Kondli. “The site would witness a green canopy once plants grew up as trees. We must further expand the green cover,” she said, adding around 40 city forests have been developed in the city which are functioning as the “lungs” of the city. The Chief Minister released a book titled ‘A Field Guide to Bio-diversity of Garhi Mandu City Forest of Delhi’. Saplings of trees such as Amaltas, Gulmohar, Jakranda, Milletia, Jamun, Amla, Aam, Bahera besides Shisham, Neem, Arjun, Pilkhan, Peepal, Bargad were planted at Kondli. PTI