Delhi is set to revive 22 native plant species
Delhi Forest Department in collaboration with Bombay Natural History Society will revive 22 native plant species that have almost vanished from the city. Seeds for planting these native trees have been brought from Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The intention behind this initiative is to develop a seed bank and revive these plant species in Delhi’s ecology. All the plantations for this project will take place in a five-month-old nursery in AsolaBhati Wildlife Sanctuary. The species to be planted in the sanctuary are Kankera (Red Spike Thorn), JungliMoringa (KonkanMoringa), Jaal (Large Toothbrush tree), Indrok (RoundleafAxlewood), Gunja (Indian Ash Tree), Inderjao, Guggal (Indian Bdellium), Gangeti (White Crossberry), Goya Khair (Sickle Bush), Dhau (Axle Wood Tree), Adusa (Malabar Nut), Barna (Three-leaf Caper), and Bistendu (Bombay Ebony). Native trees and plants are important in improving the biodiversity of the city, however, according to experts, growing and maintaining native trees can be a tough task. The reasons behind the decline of native species from Delhi are poor plantation methods, emphasis only on ornamental or grand trees to be planted on the footpaths and along public roads, and overuse of their bark, roots and fruits. Other than this, expansion of tree species like VilaitiKikar has damaged the native ecology. Most of the 22 native threatened trees have medicinal and traditional values.