Delhi govt to develop 100 'oxygen parks' to improve city climate: CM Gupta

The Delhi government plans to develop 100 "oxygen parks" to improve the city's climate and address pollution issues, with the first park to be established in north Delhi's Burari.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday that the Delhi government plans to develop 100 ''oxygen parks'' featuring dense tree cover to improve the city's climate and address pollution issues.

Laying the foundation stone of the park to be developed on 3-acre land in Mukhmelpur village in north Delhi's Burari, Gupta stated that this will be the first such park in the city.

''Delhi was turned into a gas chamber for years, but nobody was concerned to take steps to address pollution in Delhi,'' the chief minister said and announced that her government has set a target of planting more than 70 lakh trees, shrubs and hedges across the city this year.

She noted that her government has been actively working for the past year to combat pollution, and the establishment of these parks is part of that initiative.

The chief minister said the parks will have dense fruit-bearing trees to provide shelter to birds and provide oxygen. ''These parks with dense trees are a requirement of Delhi,'' she said.

The park in Mukhmelpur designed with both public convenience and environmental sustainability in mind, will feature walking tracks, energy-efficient lighting, huts for seating and relaxation, a landscaped pond and a variety of shade-giving tree species.

Large green lawns and open spaces will also be developed as part of the project, said a CMO statement.

According to Gupta, the park will be developed by the forest department, which has sanctioned Rs one crore for it, while she will also contribute Rs one crore from her MLA local area development fund.

The project aims to provide residents with a well-designed public space that promotes greenery, health, recreation and community engagement, she stated.

Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi are working together to create more green spaces, modernise existing parks and expand public amenities across the capital, the chief minister said.