Delhi's Ambitious Plan: 17 Urban Forests to Combat Air Pollution and Expand Green Cover

New Delhi:

The Delhi government has unveiled plans to convert 15 vacant land parcels across the national capital into thriving urban forests, known as 'Namo Vans,' aimed at expanding the city's green coverage and tackling air pollution challenges.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently conducted a strategic meeting with Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and senior officials to discuss the implementation of this green initiative.

According to officials, these Namo Vans will span over 177 acres. With the addition of two Miyawaki forests, Delhi will soon boast 17 urban forests in total. The project is expected to commence shortly, with plantation activities scheduled to begin in November.

"These urban forests will not only enhance Delhi's aesthetic appeal but also provide essential green spaces for our citizens," Sirsa informed PTI.

"We're implementing comprehensive measures to make Delhi greener and reduce pollution levels. These dense green zones will function as natural purifiers for the city's air," he added.

The Namo Vans will be distributed across both North and South Forest Divisions, with locations including Sathbari and Maidan Garhi in the South, and multiple sites in the North including Shahpur Garhi, Alipur, areas in Narela, multiple sectors in Rohini, and other strategic locations.

Currently, the tendering process is underway, with bid evaluation and contract awards expected soon, according to Sirsa.

The two Miyawaki forests will be established in southwest Delhi. Approximately 3.5 lakh native species saplings will be planted in Kharkhari Jatmal (2.44 hectares) and Jainpur (4.54 hectares) near Najafgarh. One of these forests will be named in honor of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Miyawaki forests, which are 30 times denser than conventional forests, were developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1980s. This innovative forestry technique involves planting saplings in close proximity, creating a dense ecosystem that promotes accelerated growth and enhanced carbon dioxide absorption.

Officials explained that while Miyawaki plantations show visible density within six to eight months, traditional forest development requires significantly more time.

"If November plantations become unfeasible due to temperature constraints, we will initiate planting from February," a forest department official stated.

In September, Chief Minister Gupta announced the Namo Vans initiative as a citywide strategy to combat Delhi's persistent air pollution issues.

This project forms part of a broader environmental strategy focused on expanding Delhi's green spaces while addressing pollution concerns and ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations, according to officials.