CAQM finalizes ambitious targets of plantation for the entire NCR during 2023-24 – EQ Mag

Emphasis on large-scale greening and dense plantation/ urban foresting initiatives including the Miyawaki Technique and Plantation Barricading around the boundaries for Educational Institutions and Industrial Units

NCR achieves 105.36% of the original targets set for plantation drive for the year 2022-23

CAQM to involve educational institutions including schools, colleges, research institutions, Central Agencies and industrial units towards greening drive for the year 2023-24

Working to increase the overall green cover of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has held a series of consultations and review meetings to draw the roadmap and further finalize Greening/ Plantation Action Plan for the year 2023-24. After taking into account inputs provided by the NCR State Governments/ GNCTD, the target of plantation (including trees, shrubs, bamboo, etc.) for the year 2023-24 has been finalized as under:

Additionally, separate meetings have also been held with different agencies of the Central Government to discuss and finalize Greening/ Plantation Action Plan for the year 2023-24. The plantation target of these agencies under Greening/ Plantation Action Plan 2023-24 is finalized as under:

Greening is one of the major steps for mitigation of air pollution and the Commission has been laying special emphasis on large-scale greening/ dense plantation/ urban foresting initiatives including the Miyawaki Technique across the entire NCR.

The implementation status of plantation activities to increase green cover for the year 2022-23 was also reviewed in the meetings held with the concerned NCR State Governments/ GNCTD. The table below depicts the achievement of plantation (of original target) as reported up to 31.03.2023 during the year 2022-23:

Educational institutions including schools, colleges and research institutions in NCR have been involved during current year to promote large-scale greening/ dense plantation initiatives in their surroundings. These institutions have been advised to develop dense plantation barricades along the boundaries of their institutions. Industrial units have also been advised to develop dense plantation barricades along the boundaries of their industrial units.

The Commission has also taken up with the University Grants Commission (UGC) to have special budget provisions particularly for institutions in the NCR districts for increasing the green cover in view of the shortage of funds to conduct large-scale plantation drive and to carry out its maintenance.

Promoting greening as a long-term solution to combat air pollution in the region has been highlighted in the Commission’s Comprehensive Policy to Curb Air Pollution in the NCR. The strategies include:

• Expanding the net of “Nagar Van” and “Nagar Vatika”, wherever feasible, in urban agglomerations and cities in NCR, including adoption of Miyawaki technique for dense plantation in limited urban spaces.
• Mass plantation drives focusing on proper nurturing and better survival rate, prioritizing native species and protection of all categories of forest areas.
• Target oriented action plans for Greening/ paving of central verges and sidewalks along the entire road network.

While finalizing the Greening Action Plan, the need to focus greening along the central verges and roadsides has been stressed upon. The Commission has advised dense plantation using Miyawaki technique along the boundaries of the institutions/ industries and patches of land and gap filling between the conventional plantations along with post plantation care of the plants. The progress of implementation of Greening Action Plan will be monitored by the Commission on a regular basis.