Home / Environment / Delhi Forests to Get "Hanging" Gardens for Wildlife
Delhi Forests to Get "Hanging" Gardens for Wildlife
3 Apr
Summary
- Hanging forests, underpasses to link fragmented Delhi forest patches.
- Plan includes planting 5,000+ fruit trees annually for wildlife.
- Over 1,560 animal rescues occurred between 2022 and 2024.
Delhi's forests are set to undergo a significant transformation over the next decade, guided by a new working plan from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. This initiative aims to tackle habitat fragmentation and food scarcity for wildlife.
The plan, effective from 2026-27, introduces novel concepts such as "hanging forests" built on overhead bridges to link separated forest patches. Additionally, underpasses will be constructed to provide safe passage for animals to water bodies, minimizing human-wildlife conflict.
To address food shortages, the plan mandates the annual plantation of at least 5,000 fruit-bearing trees across various forest divisions. This effort aims to support a diverse range of species. Between 2022 and 2024, authorities rescued over 1,560 animals, with Rhesus macaques being the most frequent.
Conservation efforts will also focus on protecting key species like leopards and nilgai. The plan advocates for improved habitat quality, strengthened water availability through new waterholes, and regular biodiversity monitoring using advanced techniques like camera traps and GIS.
