New Delhi, March 31 Highlighting environmental concerns, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday called for greater efforts in tree plantation and rainwater harvesting, saying conservation is the need of the hour.
She was speaking at an event to commemorate the 122nd Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
The chief minister lauded the institute's contribution to strengthening the farming sector of the country.
By bridging the gap between farms and laboratories, she said, IARI has shaped Indian agriculture, from the green revolution to modern technologies, while reinforcing food security and self-reliance.
Highlighting environmental concerns, she stressed that conservation is the need of the hour and called for greater efforts in tree plantation, vertical gardening, water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
The chief minister highlighted that for the first time, around 4,200 hectares of the Ridge area in Delhi have been notified to expand green cover.
She also sought IARI’s cooperation in improving soil fertility, promoting urban greenery and undertaking scientific plantation.
During the event, she also released two publications titled 'Improved Crop Varieties for Food, Nutrition and Livelihood Security' and 'Precision Floriculture and Landscape Design'.
She also visited an exhibition at the institute, where she closely observed new agricultural technologies, research-driven innovations and modern farming models.
The chief minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a 'Developed India' is rooted in 'developed agriculture and prosperous farmers'.