DRY ZONE AFFORESTATION. 



99 



was not immediately apparent, the present condition of the site is a 

 very clear evidence of the success of the experiment, and demonstrates 

 how even the most barren wastes may be reclaimed. It is probable 

 that most of the Thevetia neriifolia (' Pila Kanar ') occurring there were 

 planted in 1902. 



In recent years, with the advent of the canal, the land between the 

 Kashmir Gate and Sabzi Mandi has been transformed, thanks entirely 

 to the exertions of the present garden superintendent, Mr. R. N. 

 Locke. Where nothing would grow, a wide expanse of turf now covers 

 the saltpetre tract which formerly presented such a desolate appearance, 

 a practical demonstration of the reclamation of brackish land when 

 soft water is available in abundance. 



Having again been specially deputed for duty in connexion with 

 matters relating to the Coronation Durbar of 191 1, many of the 

 inquiries made on the occasion of the former Coronation assemblage 

 claimed attention and formed the subject of interesting discussions. 

 Subsequent events, which led to His Majesty the King Emperor 

 proclaiming Delhi as the future Capital of India, necessitated the 

 examination of the former suggestions, and though the area selected 

 for the New Capital lies to the south of the present city of Delhi, the 

 Northern Ridge has retained all its former interest. 



It formed originally the limits of the old Civil Lines, and it was 

 beyond that ridge that the historical Durbar of 1877 was held, the 

 same site being selected by Lord Curzon for the Coronation assemblage 

 held during his viceroyalty, and again by Lord Hardinge for the 

 Coronation Durbar of 191 1. 



In the selection of a site for the New Capital, sentiment favoured 

 the Durbar area, but a close survey of the surroundings soon proved 

 it to be utterly unsuitable for the purpose, and on the southern site 

 of the present Delhi, over the ruins of so many Delhis of the past, the 

 New Capital is rising as a monument to commemorate the benefits 

 of British influence over this vast Empire. 



Here again, the New City has its western boundary, the continua- 

 tion of the Delhi Ridge, known as the Southern Ridge. This natural 

 feature bordering the city on the west forms a most suitable back- 

 ground. Extending in a southerly direction, it dominates the entire 

 surrounding country, but, being devoid of vegetation, it presents a 

 most barren aspect. The idea of afforestation naturally came into 

 prominence and called for the immediate attention of the authorities 

 concerned, the matter assuming concrete form in 1912-13, when a 

 Forest Officer of experience was deputed to frame a scheme. Having 

 also been approached on the subject, I paid a special visit to Delhi 

 and surveyed the site with a view to ascertaining what may have 

 been its original flora. 



The remains of the following species which may have formed its 

 original flora were traceable. In the rocky interstice, where nothing 

 would seem to be able to thrive, remnants of Carissa spinarum, a 

 dwarf species of ' Karonda,' Butea frondosa (' Dhak '), with Cordia 



