NEW DELHI: The green lungs of the Capital have thrown up a pleasant surprise. In what is being described as a remarkable discovery, researchers have been able to locate 37 plant species never before reported from the city.

A similar stocktaking of the flora of Delhi region was done almost 40 years ago and no revision work has been done since except for some sporadic papers presented in 1970 and 1986, point out experts.

This latest discovery finds mention in the Vegetation Survey and Inventorisation carried out by the Forest Research Institute in Dehra Dun.

The study covered 394 species among 270 genera belonging to 80 families, including 82 species of monocot among 51 genera belonging to six families.

The good old Delhi Ridge currently has over 120 species of plants and serves as a sink for many pollutants, air purifier and supplier of oxygen.

Giving an indication of how these new species could have travelled to the Capital, the research paper says: "The waters may have been brought down new plants from the hilly region, which may have established themselves along the river banks of Yamuna at Delhi. And if opportunity is provided to explore other parts of Delhi it is expected that many more species will be incorporated in the flora. There is an urgent need for updating the flora of Delhi, also Haryana and Punjab.''

The new record for Delhi mentioned in the paper are collected only from the area of Ridge.

The research also has found two lower plants -- Bryophyte and Forsk -- which have also been reported for the first time in the Capital.

"The latest discovery adds to the work being carried out to make the Capital a green haven. Delhi has recorded substantial increase in its forest cover during the past few years and is one of the greenest urban cities in the country. Delhi Ridge, a natural treasure trove with a rich diversity of plant species, is an extension of Aravallis . The Ridge provides a natural boundary between sands of Rajasthan and the city of Delhi. In Delhi natural regeneration-cum-enrichment planting of Ridge is being taken up to conserve and protect the bio-diversity of the Aravalli region by way of afforestation of the Ridge through innovative soil and moisture conservation measures,'' said Delhi's Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Omkar Singh.

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