Ridge set to be revived in 4 yrs, says Shah; launches campaign to plant 70 lakh trees, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a mega drive to plant 70 lakh trees and a campaign to revive the Delhi Ridge on Tuesday.
• The 'Mission 70 Lakh Plantation' campaign is part of the Centre’s 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024.
• The Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign aims to develop 6,300 hectares of green Ridge area into forest land with legal protection over the next four years.
• The Delhi government has declared 5,000 hectares of the Ridge area as forest land, which was first notified under the Indian Forest Act in 1994.
• Other initiatives launched include the foundation stone for a High-Security Prison at Narela and an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to prevent cow dung from entering the Yamuna river.

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Detailed Insights:

• The initiatives aim to create a greener and more sustainable Delhi, addressing environmental concerns in the capital.
• The Ridge area, despite its green appearance, contains many non-native and unsuitable tree species.
• The rejuvenation plan focuses on planting long-living native trees like peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun to enhance biodiversity.
• The mega plantation program includes planting over 20 lakh trees, 37 lakh shrubs, and nearly 93,000 bamboo saplings.
• Free distribution of 12.04 lakh saplings to schools, Resident Welfare Associations, and citizens is planned to encourage public participation.
• The Delhi government has launched the Green Drive Portal to facilitate tree plantation by providing free saplings.
• Legal protection for the Ridge area is crucial for conserving its biodiversity, soil, water systems, and overall environment.
• The agreement with NDDB signifies a step towards addressing pollution in the Yamuna river from dairy waste.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indian Forest Act: Legislation governing the management of forests and forest produce in India.
• Jan Bhagidari: A concept emphasizing public participation and involvement in government schemes and initiatives.
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB): An institution promoting dairy development in India, involved in various rural development initiatives.