Chinar trees and cherry blossoms to soon adorn the areas around the Yamuna River in Delhi. It's going to be for the first time when these species will be planted in the capital.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi oversaw the plantation of cherry blossoms and chinar trees across three islands in the Yamuna, located between Qudsia Ghat and the ITO barrage. The trees of each species have been planted as part of the revival of forested areas and to improve the aesthetics of the region and the floodplains around. The planting of these two new species is going to mark a new beginning in the development of a new landscape in Delhi. The saplings of these two species have been planted at the highest points on each of the three islands with three metres of space between the two saplings.

Apart from cherry blossom and chinar, 1,400 trees of other species are also being planted including kachnar, weeping willow, semal, bottle brush, bougainvillea and kaner. The initiative is somewhat aligned with LG's vision to make Delhi a 'city of flowers' for which he has been personally monitoring his officials in the entire process. These islands have also been protected from any kind of encroachment while the forest department manages forest affairs. Seeds of a variety of flowering plants and shrubs such as marigolds, cosmos, and others will also be sown along the river banks.

Environmentalists are warning that both the newly planted tree species may not be able to adjust to the hot weather of Delhi as the species are more comfortable in cooler temperatures. Excessive heat can put a lot of pressure on the sapling. The cherry blossom does well in Japan where the country has somewhat moderate or cool temperatures. Agencies will have to put extra effort into making the trees effective for survival. The Chinar tree is also an exotic species best suited for Jammu and Kashmir.

The outcomes of a plantation may differ. But harbouring such a good vision in an environment where each day the Air Quality Index (AQI) is falling in Delhi is worth noting. Re-afforestation shall help in ameliorating the entire thing.

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Reference:

• hindustantimes.com