MCD to connect people with nature through arboretum

New Delhi: The Delhi government has been trying to connect people with nature. In this regard, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is ready to establish an arboretum at the Roshanara Bagh nursery in North Delhi. It is expected that around 250 varieties of plants, trees, creepers, shrubs, and bamboo species found in the city will be displayed here. These will be planted in pots along with their scientific and common names, giving visitors a chance to know more about the natural biodiversity of Delhi.

The civic body has been working relentlessly to collect these plants from its own nurseries. MCD doesn’t want to purchase from other nurseries in the national capital. “The arboretum will give a chance to the general public, including students, trainees, and curious visitors to know about the different kinds of plants and tree species,” as per an MCD official.

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Besides this botanical garden, the MCD has made an arrangement to develop a centre for urban horticulture training within the nursery. This centre will provide training to MCD staff and arrange courses in landscaping and plant propagation for other civic workers. It is expected that summer vacation courses may also be introduced.

The Roshanara Bagh nursery is spread over around 8.5 acres of land; currently, it has the facility of polyhouses with fogging and temperature control, along with two greenhouses for plant nurturing. Mass production of plants also takes place here, supporting MCD’s 15,226 parks across Delhi, which span over 5,172 acres.