Unusual security protection for 1,000 sandalwood saplings to be planted in Lutyens' Delhi

A rare plan to grow 1,000 sandalwood trees in Lutyens' Delhi has begun with arrival from Tamil Nu and Andhra Presh of first batch of ir saplings, which will receive unusual pampering -- round clock security guards will protect saplings from possible ft and damage.

Delhi alrey has sandalwood trees at parks and gardens such as Lodhi Garden, Buddha Park and Talkatora Garden but this is for first time when sandalwood plantation is being taken up at such a big scale, an official said.

According to plan, besides extra care, security guards will be deployed to ensure that sandalwood saplings are not stolen or damaged.

NDMC member Kuljeet Singh Chahal told PTI that a total of 1,000 saplings of red and white sandalwood trees will be planted in "closed locations" like parks, gardens of residential societies due to security concerns, under jurisdiction of New Delhi Municipal Council.

first consignment of sandalwood saplings has arrived in national capital and preparations are underway for ir plantation, Chahal said, ding y will not be planted along ro stretches.

"If we plant sandalwood saplings along ro stretches, y may get stolen, vandalised or damaged. se saplings require extra care and security. Our existing guards will be used for safety of saplings," he said.

Chahal said 600 saplings will be planted in south circle of NDMC which includes areas like Lodhi Garden, Sarojini Nagar, Chanakya Puri, among ors, while north circle includes locations like Rajpath, Sans Marg, Connaught Place, Mor Teresa Crescent and Gole Market, among ors.

However, Chahal did not divulge details about cost of sandalwood saplings.

According to civic authorities, cost of one sandalwood sapling is around Rs 275. height of saplings ranges between 3 and 4 feet and ir plantation will begin this week, y said.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena h in July directed all land owning agencies -- NDMC, MCD, DDA, Delhi Parks and Garden Society, Delhi Biodiversity Society -- to plant 10,000 sandalwood saplings across city during ongoing monsoon season.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi is yet to procure saplings.

Although civic bodies have started process of procuring sandalwood saplings, some environment experts raised concerns, citing that Delhi's climate is not suitable for sandalwood trees.

Environment expert Preep Krishen, who is also author of Book 'Trees of Delhi', said it is a "stupid thing to do".

"If you bring a polar bear in Delhi and keep him in a ice-house, it may survive, but it is a stupid thing to do. You need to match tree to soil, moisture regime and climate. moment you stop looking after tree, it will die," Krishen told PTI.

He said sandalwood doesn't grow in Delhi. If you put it in a garden and give all attention it needs, it might survive. But it is not a clever thing to do, he ded.

"It might be possible to give close attention to a small number of sandalwood trees, but who would take care of thousands of trees," Krishnen said.

Anor environment expert Manoj Mishra, however, said it is possible that sandalwood trees may survive in Delhi but ir heartwood will lack scent se tree are famous for.

"Properties of a tree depend on climate. If re would be no scent in wood, it will not serve any purpose. se trees will not be of any commercial value," said Mishra, who is a retired Indian Forest Service Officer.