Environment Minister inaugurates Urban Forest at the office of CAG in Delhi

The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar on July 2 inaugurated the Unique Urban Forest at the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) office park in New Delhi.

As per the official release, the unique design of the urban forest consists of the artistic, recreational, and meditation zones along with the watchtower, gazebo, sitting spaces, and the winding pathways.

The Union Minister inaugurated the urban forest along with CAG Rajiv Mehrishi. The forest has been created by planting at least 12,000 samplings of 59 indigenous species of trees.

Today inaugurated a unique Urban Forest at the Office of the CAG of India. Urban forests are the lungs of cities, acting as an oxygen bank and carbon sink.@moefcc pic.twitter.com/49zuhdA2OR

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) July 2, 2020

Objective:

The Unique Urban Forest has been created with the purpose to reduce high air pollution levels particularly at the ITO crossing, which is one of the city’s most polluted areas.

The forest has also been created with an aim to create an ecosystem that will restore habitat for bees, birds, butterflies, and microfauna. As per the Auditor, these are essential for the pollination of crops and fruits and they will also help in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Creation of Unique Urban Forest:

The unique urban forest ecosystem has been created in an area that is little over 1 acre in size. The forest has an ecosystem that has the capacity to restore habitat for bees, birds, micro-fauna, and butterflies.

The species that are selected for Delhi’s urban forest are part of the city’s potential natural vegetation and will be best suited for the region’s climate, soil, and terrain. The forest will be self-sustainable in two years, with minimal maintenance which includes de-weeding and watering.

Prakash Javadekar on inaugurating the forest:

While inaugurating the forest, the union minister mentioned that creating such an oxygen bank in the park will be useful as it will help in soaking the carbon and give out oxygen.

The minister also appreciated the initiative and stated that the park has set an example to be followed by other offices in Delhi. He also informed that it will become a dense forest in a year or so and will turn into a new attraction for the people of Delhi.