Delhi’s New Urban Forest at ITO: A Green Solution to Rising AQI Levels

The next time you pass through ITO, one of Delhi’s busiest intersections, don’t be surprised to spot a thriving green forest amid the city’s concrete landscape.

Located inside the office park of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, this newly developed urban forest in Delhi is a major step toward combating the city’s worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) and restoring ecological balance.

A Green Initiative to Combat Delhi’s Air Pollution

ITO has long been identified as one of Delhi’s most polluted hotspots, often recording alarming AQI levels.

To address this growing environmental challenge, the government has developed this dense urban forest as part of its broader environmental responsibility and sustainable urban development efforts.

Spread across more than one acre, the forest features a carefully designed ecosystem of:

• Shrubs
• Small and medium-sized trees
• Tall canopy trees

These have been strategically arranged to create peripheral and core plant communities, ensuring dense vegetation coverage and maximum ecological benefits.

Built Using the Miyawaki Method

The forest has been developed using the globally recognised Miyawaki afforestation method, a Japanese technique known for creating dense, fast-growing native forests in urban spaces.

According to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, the forest will evolve into a thriving ecosystem with 12,000 saplings of 59 indigenous species within a year.

The Miyawaki method offers significant environmental advantages, including:

• Reducing surrounding temperatures by up to 14 degrees Celsius
• Increasing moisture levels by over 40 percent
• Faster forest growth compared to conventional methods
• Enhanced carbon absorption

Why This Urban Forest Matters

Unlike conventional lawns, this multi-layered urban forest ecosystem offers over 30 times greater surface area and significantly higher environmental protection capabilities.

It helps:

• Improve air quality
• Reduce urban heat
• Prevent soil degradation
• Support biodiversity
• Strengthen climate resilience

A Haven for Birds, Bees and Butterflies

This urban forest is not just about greenery—it is designed to restore natural habitats.

The ecosystem supports:

• Birds
• Bees
• Butterflies
• Micro-fauna

These species play a crucial role in pollination, biodiversity conservation, and maintaining ecological balance.

Self-Sustaining by Design

One of the biggest advantages of this project is its low maintenance requirement.

After initial watering and de-weeding, the forest is expected to become fully self-sustaining, making it an efficient long-term environmental investment for Delhi.

Rare Native Species Planted in the Forest

The project includes several rare and indigenous tree species best suited to Delhi’s climate and soil, including:

• Dhonk (Anogeissus pendula)
• Bistendu (Diospyros cordifolia)
• Chamrod (Ehretia laevis)
• Doodhi (Wrightia tinctoria)
• Kaim (Mitragyna parvifolia)
• Palash (Butea monosperma)
• Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)
• Arni (Clerodendrum phlomidis)
• Falsa (Grewia asiatica)
• Khajoor (Phoenix sylvestris)
• Marodphali (Helicteres isora)

The CAG office believes this initiative can inspire similar urban reforestation projects across Indian cities.

As Delhi continues to battle pollution and shrinking green cover, projects like this demonstrate how thoughtful urban planning can restore ecological balance.

A Small Forest with a Big Message

Delhi’s new urban forest sends a strong message:

Cities can grow without sacrificing nature.

This green initiative stands as a powerful reminder that reclaiming lost forests and restoring biodiversity is not just possible—it is essential for the future of urban India.