India has lost more than 700 square kilometres of forests between 2002 and 2004, but when it comes to individual trees outside of forests the news is heartening.

In a first-of-its-kind count of individual trees, the Forest Survey of India has found that in Delhi while 176 sq km is under forest cover, 107 sq km is under ‘tree cover’ — trees grown independently outside forests.

Delhi ranks sixth in the country in terms of percentage of area under this ‘tree cover’, according to the latest National State of the Forest report (tree growth till 2005), something which town planners and transport systems should well keep in mind before the Commonwealth Games.

The projects for the Commonwealth Games 2010 may further contribute to a greener city, due to the compensatory afforestation — ten trees are planted for each one felled — being undertaken against felling of trees for the Delhi Metro and Delhi Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) projects. As many as 17 greening agencies are working towards a target of planting 13.9 lakh saplings this year, both in the forests and outside of them.

The Forest department has planted 6 lakh saplings in areas like Burari and in nine newly identified city forests.

“In the latest review last month, we found that 75 per cent of the compensatory afforestation targets have been achieved. Currently, 10,000 trees are being planted in Harewali city forest under the BRTS project. It is commendable that the Capital is so green,” says Conservator of Forests D M Shukla.