"Currently, Delhi has to depend on Haryana and UP for its water. We are now taking measures to get our own water and all the flood water that flow into the Yamuna each year will be collected and stored. Delhi Jal Board has made a plan to make borewells and ranney wells on the Yamuna banks and we can use this water to replenish the groundwater levels or in times of need," said Kejriwal while attending the event at the Garhi Mandu city forest along with environment minister Imran Hussain as the guests of honour. Over a thousand schoolchildren, several MLAs and RWA leaders also attended the programme.

While the children raised issues on pollution and environment through poetry and skits, a plantation drive was held in the area. The CM himself planted a sapling in the forest before releasing parakeets as a symbol of the fight against wildlife trafficking.

On government's Yamuna plans, Kejriwal said, " DJB has made plans to improve the condition of the Yamuna, but we need the support of the Centre and DDA. Then we can make it clean in the next three years."

According to the forest department, the forest cover has increased from 20.08% to 20.22% in the past one year with an estimated growth of around 300 hectares. The government plans to plant 10 lakh trees and 5 lakh saplings by next year. "One fully grown tree can support a family of four for life, so we urge everyone to plant a tree and do it for the environment," said A K Shukla, chief wildlife warden. The landowning and greening agencies will be asked to get a third party to undertake a tree census to ensure accountability.

The government also plans to improve eco-tourism by focusing on forests in Najafgarh, Asola and Garhi Mandu with the help of Delhi Tourism. "The construction of around 105 tube wells has also begun and a reservoir will be made to utilise and store flood water that can act as a backup for a month," said tourism minister Kapil Mishra.