Pilot project launched to ecologically restore Delhi’s central ridge, get rid of ‘vilayati kikar’


PTI, Apr 27, 2022, 2:17 PM IST

Pune: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday launched a pilot project to ecologically restore the central ridge and it involves replacing invasive Mexican trees ‘vilayati kikar’ with indigenous species.

The central ridge is spread over 864 hectares and according to a plan announced last year, 423 hectares of it will be restored in five years.

”The invasive ‘vilayati kikar’ is spread over 7,500 hectares in Delhi which is not conducive to the capital’s environment. We have today launched a pilot project to remove this tree species from 10 hectares in the central ridge,” Rai told reporters.

The government had in March last year set up a six-member advisory committee to monitor the progress of the project and ensure timely and effective on-ground compliance.

The forest department plans to remove ‘vilayati kikar’, which doesn’t allow other species to thrive and leads to water table depletion, through canopy lifting and planting native trees, shrubs and grasses suitable for the ridge’s soil.

Considered the lungs of the national capital, the ridge is an extension of the Aravalli hill range in Delhi and is a rocky, hilly and forested area.

It has been divided into four zones — south, south-central, central and north — due to administrative reasons. These four zones make up a total area of around 7,784 hectares.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

2nd Test: Will Rohit agree to bat in middle-order and let Rahul open?

Yediyurappa appeals to MLA Yatnal’s group to work unitedly to strengthen party

Karnataka Congress MLA wants CM to stop some poll guarantees, draws Shivakumar’s ire

Adityanath hits out at Congress for ‘strangling’ Constitution

Two leopards captured in village near Bengaluru after fatal attack on woman

Ensure safety of minorities: India on arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das in Bangladesh

Sad to see you go, hope we can reunite: Delhi Capitals’ co-owner to Rishabh Pant

Related Articles More

Aishwarya on Int Day for Elimination of Violence against Women: Street harassment is never your fault

Adityanath hits out at Congress for ‘strangling’ Constitution

Ensure safety of minorities: India on arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das in Bangladesh

Rituals being conducted at temples for Shinde’s continuation as Maharashtra CM

BJP in no hurry to announce CM candidate until portfolio allocation finalised: sources

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

2nd Test: Will Rohit agree to bat in middle-order and let Rahul open?

Yediyurappa appeals to MLA Yatnal’s group to work unitedly to strengthen party

Karnataka Congress MLA wants CM to stop some poll guarantees, draws Shivakumar’s ire

Aishwarya on Int Day for Elimination of Violence against Women: Street harassment is never your fault

Adityanath hits out at Congress for ‘strangling’ Constitution

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.