Saplings to be geo-tagged in city

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday directed officials to geo-tag plants and monitor their survival rate under the government’s mega plantation drive in Sept-ember.

Mr Kejriwal also directed officials to launch a massive awareness campaign for people’s participation in the drive, according to an official statement. Agencies participating in the campaign inc-lude Forest Department, MCDs, NDMC, Education, Health, CPWD, PWD and Delhi Jal Board who briefed the chief minister on the progress, according to the statement.

Mr Kejriwal directed that a helpline be created for the event and publicised for people to call and check the nearest location for participation.

He also directed that various clubs be also involved in the campaign to improve people’s participation. The issue of post plantation care was also raised during the meeting. The chief minister said that all the plants should be geotagged and their monitoring should be done. He also said that a monthly report on the same should be submitted to him.

“Responsibility of the survival of the plantation would rest with the respetive greening agency. For-est department would be the nodal point for all such coordination,” he was quoted by the statement as saying.

“Involve Resident Welfare Associations, market associations, school children and their parents in the drive. Make it a mass movement. We have to reach the grassroots to make it a grand success,” Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was quoted as saying in the statement.

A decision was also take-n to plant trees, which are at least 6 ft in height.