1,370 wildlife rescues in Delhi during 2024-25 as govt intensifies conservation efforts

New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) The Delhi government has rescued 1,370 animals, including a leopard, snakes, nilgai, monkeys, peacocks and several other bird species, during 2024-25, amid intensified efforts to strengthen green cover and protect urban biodiversity in the capital, officials said.

As part of its conservation initiatives, the Delhi government has operationalised a Green Helpline portal to address issues related to the flora and fauna in the city, an official told PTI on Wednesday, adding that citizens can also report such cases through the helpline number.

According to the officials, rescue operations were conducted for one leopard, 139 nilgai, 439 snakes, 458 monkeys, 109 peacocks, 95 kites and 79 other birds, besides 13 turtles and 38 other animals, during 2024-25.

Parallelly, the government distributed 5,03,672 saplings under a plantation drive aimed at expanding the capital's green cover, they said.

The government also plans to develop Miyawaki forests (dense, bio-diverse forested areas in small urban spaces) across seven hectares, with a target of planting around two lakh trees. Forests are also proposed at 18 locations across the city, where over one lakh saplings will be planted, officials added.

They said the administration is also focusing on tree transplantation using advanced machinery to protect mature trees during infrastructure projects.

This approach, they said, prioritises converting vacant land into green spaces, with the forest department issuing detailed guidelines to ensure sustainable and planned greening across Delhi. PTI NSM NSM AMJ ARB ARB