‘Tree wall’ to shield capital from frequent dust storms

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR will soon have a wall of nearly 31 lakh native trees encircling it to shield it from the frequent dust storms coming from Rajasthan.

Various agencies of the Union and Delhi governments have already begun the work of planting nearly 31 lakh saplings of various native species to rid Delhi of the malady of frequent dust storms from its western neighbour, a senior official of the Union ministry of forest, environment, and climate change said.

The natural barrier is to come up all along Delhi border with Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh while also encompassing the Aravali and the Yamuna forest areas.

The scheme, formally launched on July 7, is set to be completed within two years.

Based on scientific studies, sufficiently tall and dense trees like those of pilkhan, goolar, mahua, mango, and other native trees have been chosen for this scheme. These trees will prevent dust particles from rising in the sky due to low atmospheric pressure and stop them from condensing at a few meters above the ground.

The official said the scheme has two objectives — absorption of pollution-causing particulate matters by trees and shielding Delhi from the choking dust storms coming in from Rajasthan every year due to the western disturbances.

Other trees included in this scheme are peepul, neem, banyan, berry, amla (Indian gooseberry), jamun, amaltash, harre, bahera and such tress that release oxygen.

Various authorities, which would be implementing the scheme in their respective areas in the national capital, include the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the Delhi Metro, the Northern Railway, and the public works department (PWD) of the Delhi government besides the forest department and various municipal councils and corporations of Delhi.

He said all the agencies together would plant nearly 21 lakh native trees and another 10 lakh bushy ones like those of kaner, gurhal, bahuniya, chandni, etc. in a two-month tree plantation drive during the ‘Van Mahotsav’ between July 15 and September 15.

The maximum number of trees would be planted by DDA, which will be followed by the forest department (4.22 lakh), the three municipal corporations of Delhi (4 lakh), NDMC (3 lakh), and CPWD (35,000).

After planting the saplings, these agencies would also nurture them for two years.