Plantation drives to help save ponds, recharge groundwater
NEW DELHI: Delhi is one of the greenest capitals in the world. Now, its green cover would help authorities to add some blue colour to the city.
The state environment department is relying on trees to revive the city’s dying water bodies and recharge the depleting groundwater table.
Unlike previous years when tree saplings were planted mostly on roadsides, parks and avenues ahead of monsoon to make the city greener, this year the environment department would also plant trees in and around the water bodies to recharge them.
“Trees are known to recharge the groundwater table and hence we have urged various agencies such as Delhi Development Authority, Public Works Department, civic bodies among others to take up plantation drives mostly along the boundaries of water bodies,” said SD Singh, CEO of parks and garden society, state environment department.
A study published in Nature Scientific Reports in 2016 revealed that a moderate tree cover can increase groundwater recharge. Experts said reviving the water bodies would not just help in recharging groundwater but also in maintaining the hydrological balance of the area. It would also help bring back aquatic biodiversity and birds.
“While saplings of trees which have large canopies like Banyan, Peepal, Pilkhan, Jamun and Arjun would be planted along the boundaries of these water bodies, we also plan to plant saplings on the bed of the dried up water bodies to recharge the groundwater and in turn revive the water bodies,” said Singh.
Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist-incharge of Yamuna Biodiversity Park, said: “Plantation alone won’t help. One needs to revive the channels and drainage system that used to bring rain water into the water bodies.”