300 Cherry blossom, Chinar saplings planted on 3 Yamuna islands in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi's landscape around the Yamuna may see swathes of pink and white Cherry blossom and red and yellow Chinar trees in the years to come.
Three hundred saplings - 150 of Cherry blossom and Chinar each - were planted under the guidance of LG V K Saxena on three islands in the Yamuna between Qudsia Ghat and ITO Barrage, Raj Niwas has said.
Officials said the Cherry blossom saplings were first kept in controlled conditions in nurseries for a month to let them acclimatise to Delhi's weather. "For the first time, an effort has been made to introduce Chinar and Cherry blossom in Delhi. The initiative is aligned with the LG's vision of making Delhi a City of Flowers," said Raj Niwas.
Over 1,400 saplings of other species, such as Kachnar, Weeping willow, Semal, Bottle brush, Bougainvillea and Kaner, were also planted on the islands.
In all, 1,733 saplings have been planted in the presence of LG Saxena. The Chinar and Cherry blossom saplings have been planted at the highest points on each of the islands with 3 meters of space between two saplings. The other floral species have been planted in a grid formation in the remaining areas of the islands, said Raj Niwas.
Cherry blossom is a deciduous plant that is grown in several places in India such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Shimla and Shillong. Chinar, also deciduous, is known for its shape and colour and the tree is mostly found in Kashmir.
Experts, however, raised doubts if the Chinar would survive in sub-tropical, semi-arid Delhi. "Chinar is used to colder climates of Central Asia or Kashmir. It won't survive in temperatures above 34 degrees," said tree expert Pradip Krishen.
The LG instructed the officials to deploy the Territorial Army to protect the islands from encroachment. The forest department will take care of the plants.
Seeds of a variety of flowering shrubs such as marigold were sown along the river banks that will create a flower bed.