New Delhi, October 16 – Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has initiated the second phase of a sapling plantation drive in the city to combat winter pollution. This endeavor is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s green cover and improve air quality, particularly during the winter season.
The second phase of the plantation drive commenced in Garhi Mandu, located in northeast Delhi. The initial goal for this fiscal year was to plant 52 lakh saplings, including shrubs. Of this target, 40 lakh saplings were already planted during the summer season as part of the pollution reduction action plan. The remaining 12 lakh saplings will now be planted during the winter season as part of the ongoing initiative.
Minister Rai expressed his satisfaction with the New Delhi Municipal Council’s campaign to plant 50 lakh saplings, which will contribute significantly to increasing the city’s green cover.
Under the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Delhi has seen its green cover expand from 20% to 23%. This has been a crucial factor in the city’s improved air quality. The capital has witnessed 200 days of “good to moderate” air quality this year, marking the first time this has occurred since 2015, except for 2020 when a strict lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to improved air quality.
According to the Centre’s Commission for Air Quality Management, in the corresponding period for 2022, 2021, and 2019, the number of “good to moderate” air quality days stood at 154, 183, and 174, respectively. The air quality index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered “good,” 51 to 100 is “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 is “moderate,” 201 to 300 is “poor,” 301 to 400 is “very poor,” and 401 to 500 is “severe.”
