At a time when Delhi’s green warriors are battling to save 16000 trees from felling in
south Delhi, various groups and residents of Gurgaon have decided to extend the green cover of their city through the launch of a massive
tree plantation drive at Vatika INX, Sector 83. The plantation drive, started by Enviro, the facilities management wing of Vatika, saw local residents, members of
Hope NGO, and students from Matrikiran School plant several hundred trees, shrubs, and saplings in the gardens of
Vatika INXT. Residents will be planting a total of one lakh trees in the sectors of New Gurgaon over the next two months as part of the drive.
Students of Matrikiran School also participated in the drive
“While Delhi is trying to save its existing trees, we have decided to increase our green cover to make sure the city is green and clean for the coming generation,” said ecologist Dr Prasoon Kumar. He said that the trees they were planting were mostly fruit trees like mango. “This will attract more birds as they will come for both food and shelter. That will help us create a nice ecosystem similar to the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary nearby. In the coming years, we want this side of Gurgaon to be the next Sultanpur,” Dr Kumar added.
Kids were seen most enthusiastic while planting trees
Suhas, a local resident, said, “Taking such a step is important. While our generation did get to climb on trees and play under them, the next generation will see even lesser trees.” Apart from local residents, about a dozen students from Classes VI-X of Matrikiran School also joined the drive. Sejal Lochan, a Class X student, said, “It was great fun and also something that made us understand our responsibility towards the environment. Hopefully, we will plant more trees in the coming time.”
School students put up a dance performance before the drive began
Viren Khanna, New Delhi Nature Society
Dr Prasoon Kumar, ecologist
