New Delhi, Jul 10 (IANS): Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched a massive 17-day campaign to plant 31 lakh plants, trees and shrubs across the national capital. He said that the city government is set to initiate early steps to tackle air pollution caused by stubble burning in the neighbouring states.

This holds significance as the national capital records a high-level of air pollution throughout the year.

"We will plant over 31 lakh saplings during this 17-day plantation drive. Our target is to plant 20 lakh saplings of big trees and 11 lakh saplings of small trees and shrubs. We will observe these two weeks of the mega plantation drive as 'Vrikshaaropan Pakhavaada'," said Rai.

Saplings will be planted under the campaign 'Plant Saplings, Save Environment' with the objective of increasing the national capital's green cover and reducing pollution.

Rai said that the Delhi government is also conducting separate studies on the levels of pollution during the lockdown and before and after the lockdown.

"The results of these studies will help us to create a robust plan to tackle air pollution in Delhi. The Delhi government will soon hold meetings with all the environment-related agencies to initiate early preparation to tackle air pollution of the capital which happens due to stubble burning in the neighbouring states," he said.

The Environment Minister said that the matter will also be discussed with the neighbouring states so that a way out can be found to bring down the pollution levels.

"We all are now fighting against COVID-19 pandemic, but we need to keep in mind that every year citizens of Delhi suffer from air pollution. The Delhi government is working tirelessly from the last few years to decrease the pollution level in Delhi," Rai said.