ICLEI South Asia and the department of horticulture, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), organised on-site training in Yamuna Biodiversity Park on the 15th and 16th of September, 2022, on green cover enhancement to reduce air pollution. The training was conducted under the project Building City Leadership on Clean Air Action in Delhi National Capital Region, funded by the Clean Air Fund.
The event was planned after consultations were held with the director of the horticulture department, MCD. The training was conducted in two batches for more than 60 horticulture officials from all zones by the scientist in-charge of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park and ICLEI South Asia staff, focusing on various aspects of ecological restoration, air pollution, the geographical location of Delhi, reforestation and low-cost interventions for ecological restoration.
During the training, the officials received handss-on experience and knowledge about reducing air pollution through ecological restoration, wetlands development and afforestation with appropriate species. Low-cost sustainable interventions such as appropriate plantation for improving the air quality index were discussed during the training. Dr. Khudsar helped the officials to understand the effective interventions being adopted at the park and how they could be replicated in the day-to-day work in MCD parks and gardens. The explanations and discussions provided a pathway to develop an ecology similar to the Biodiversity Park that is suitable to each species, is inclusive, and protects the environment. As it was explained during the discussion, the difference in air pollution levels inside the park and outside was prominent, which showed how such parks worked as natural air purifiers. The same results can be achieved anywhere in Delhi by adopting ecological principles.