The Hindu - Delhi 19.08.2009
Sheila outlines plan for a green Delhi
Special Correspondent
| Seeks special dedicated enforcement staff, high wall around the Ridge |
Photo: V.V. Krishnan 
When neighbours meet: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit greets Haryana Environment Minister Kiran Choudhary at the national conference of Ministers of Environment and Forests in New Delhi on Tuesday.
NEW DELHI: Noting that the Delhi Government was facing difficulties in protecting the Ridge due to multiplicity of authority, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday emphasised the need for a unified approach in dealing with the situation.
Speaking at the National Conference of Environment and Forest Ministers of States here, Ms. Dikshit underlined the need for having dedicated staff for enforcement of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, so that the provisions could be enforced properly.
The Chief Minister said her aim was to make Delhi one of the greenest Capitals of the world: “The Delhi Government is keen to expand the green cover from the existing 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Already the green area has increased from 36 sq. km. in 1998 to over 300 sq. km. now.”
Lauding the role of the Eco-Task Force in greening the Ridge area in Bhatti Mines, the Chief Minister said while this appeared to be an impossible task, the Force had made it possible.
“The protection of the Ridge area is a challenge in itself. It requires a unified approach as different agencies have been working without any coordination resulting in lukewarm response. The Delhi Government has decided to construct a high wall around the Ridge right from Pusa Road to Dhaula Kuan to overcome the problem of encroachment and accumulation of debris,” she said.
Stating that the design of the wall had been prepared by the New Delhi Municipal Council, she said, it was uniform all over. The Chief Minister also informed that nine new city forests would be developed in this financial year and with this the total number of such forests would go up to 41 in 2010.
Ms. Dikshit also sought a special dedicated staff to ensure implementation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, since at present the basic enforcing agency -- the Delhi police -- has to be requested every time to make staff available for the work.
As for the Yamuna, she said, the river covers a distance of 22 km from Wazirabad Barrage to Okhla Barrage in Delhi and cleaning it was essential for reviving the Capital’s glory. Stating that the water quality of the river was being monitored at nine locations by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee along with the Central Pollution Control Board, she said the work for laying of interceptors had been awarded to Engineers India Ltd. which has submitted a project report and is likely to take up the work from October this year.
