Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to advance the greening strategy for the Delhi NCR region. This initiative focuses on a scientifically planned, technology-enabled, and convergence-based approach for improving ecological security and sustained air quality in the nation’s capital and surrounding districts.
Comprehensive Planning and Mapping
The meeting reviewed ongoing preparations for plantation efforts, emphasizing the need for granular and district-wise action plans involving both urban and rural areas. Each NCR state has been directed to identify and map forest areas, degraded lands, wetlands, zoos, Nagar Vans/Namo Parks, and other public spaces under local authorities. These zones are to be classified by vegetation quality and administrative control to streamline interventions. Active engagement of Eco-Clubs and Natural History centers was also stressed for public awareness and participation in greening initiatives.
Alignment and Convergence for Effective Execution
States were tasked with preparing micro plans for the next five years, aligned with existing forest and wildlife management plans, legal requirements, and ongoing litigations. These plans will clearly detail annual plantation targets, implementing agencies, community participation opportunities, nursery capacity assessments, and funding sources from Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana, Compensatory Afforestation Fund, and other schemes. A Five-Year Greening Plan for the entire NCR, consolidating all district-level micro plans, will be developed for coordinated action and facilitation through the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Technology and Restoration Emphasis: Greening Strategy
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) is to support this effort by supplying data on degraded and invasive species-affected lands, enabling their integration into the Green Credit Programme portal for eco-restoration activities. The Minister emphasized the role of data-driven, technology-backed approaches in making the plan effective and called for the next meeting to review progress of the states and Delhi NCT Government.
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Source: PIB
