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  Metros   Delhi  09 Sep 2018  5 lakh trees planted in mega drive to curb pollution

5 lakh trees planted in mega drive to curb pollution

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Sep 9, 2018, 1:10 am IST
Updated : Sep 9, 2018, 1:10 am IST

The chief minister expressed happiness saying that the fight against the air pollution had taken shape of a festive occasion.

Schoolchildren plant saplings as they take part in a tree planting campaign in New Delhi on Saturday. The city government organised the initiative to plant thousands of tree saplings across the city on Saturday in an effort to fight air pollution, according to sources. (Photo: AFP)
 Schoolchildren plant saplings as they take part in a tree planting campaign in New Delhi on Saturday. The city government organised the initiative to plant thousands of tree saplings across the city on Saturday in an effort to fight air pollution, according to sources. (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Stressing that the national capital is battling severe air pollution and that the onus lies upon us to resolve the issue, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a mega tree plantation drive on Saturday. Mr Kejriwal launched the drive by planting a sapling at the Yamuna floodplain in Usmanpur village, with thousands of others joining him in the initiative.

The government wants to plant 5 lakh trees and shrubs in the city in a day as part of the drive. Officials said around one lakh students and residents participated in the campaign at 600 locations across the city to fight air pollution.

Mr Kejriwal said studies have shown 70 per cent of pollution in Delhi originated beyond its borders, but “this could not be an excuse to avoid tackling the situation”. Apart from massive plantation, we also need to reduce pollution,” he said.

A large number of school children attended the tree plantation event held at Yamuna flood plains at Garhi Mandu in Usmanpur. The chief minister encouraged the students to also plant saplings near their house and take care of it.

“One of the main practical solutions is to plant as many trees and shrubs as we can. There are so many children present here today, I would like to tell them that as children we were also taught that trees and green plants inhale carbon dioxide and release Oxygen into the atmosphere. Therefore, these plants absorb pollution and provide fresh air to us. I am happy that thousands of residents of Delhi have come forward,” the CM said.

The chief minister  expressed happiness saying that the fight against the air pollution had taken shape of a festive occasion.

Tags: arvind kejriwal, air pollution, curb pollution, trees planted