Delhi government taking steps to remove 'Vilayati Kikar'

NEW DELHI: Delhi government is taking steps to remove "dominant" Mexican mesquite tree species known as ' vilayati kikar', which restricts regeneration of indigenous tree species, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the 'vilayati kikar' is not an indigenous or a native tree of Delhi Ridge, "but it has adapted well in Delhi and has become a dominant species".

"It restricts regeneration of indigenous tree species of Aravalli Ridge. The Delhi Government is taking steps to plant the Ridge forest areas by indigenous species gradually replacing the 'vilayati kikar'," Javadekar said in a written reply.

He said such steps will gradually reduce expansion and regeneration of 'vilayati kikar', and help to maintain and improve the ecosystem of the Ridge.

The small, evergreen, spiny tree, which has the capacity to survive in harsh environments, but is a coloniser by nature, was introduced to the Ridge in the early 20th century.

Today large parts of the Ridge are covered by this species.

Apart from being an invasive species, its leaves do not decompose and discourage all of the undergrowth below it, Delhi Forest Department has said.