Background: G20 Plantation at Nehru Park
- Occasion: India’s G20 Presidency (2023).
- Event: Ceremonial plantation of saplings by G20 member countries and invited international organisations.
- Location: Designated plantation area in Nehru Park, New Delhi.
- Objective: Symbolic diplomacy using ecologically significant trees representing each country.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
The Mystery
- Issue Raised: A citizen-led platform (X, formerly Twitter) flagged that the sapling labelled “African Mahogany” didn’t resemble the actual species.
- Trigger: Viral post with over 28 lakh views, prompting questions on whether species verification had occurred.
- Official Clarification:
- The currently standing sapling is a substitute, not the original African Mahogany gifted by Nigeria.
- The original sapling died after being planted due to non-acclimatisation.
Scientific & Bureaucratic Process
- Plant Quarantine:
- Imported plants underwent a required quarantine at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi.
- Pre-plantation Vetting:
- Involved expert species identification to maximize survival in Delhi’s climate.
- Sources Confirmed:
- Substitutes like Jamun (Indian species) were temporarily planted to maintain visual and aesthetic consistency.
Country-wise Sapling Details
- South Korea & South Africa:
- Their original saplings failed to survive post-plantation.
- Embassies confirmed it was within expected parameters.
- South Korea has already replaced its original species.
- Nigeria’s African Mahogany:
- Has now been sourced again and will be planted after the monsoon, as per ideal conditions.
Broader G20 Tree Representation
- A total of 17 tree species were planted by G20 countries and international organisations.
- Symbolism & Environmental Relevance:
- Turkey, Spain, Italy: Olive trees.
- South Korea: Silver tree.
- Egypt, Saudi Arabia: Date Palm.
- Indonesia: Frangipani.
- China: Camphor Laurel.
- African Union: Sausage Tree, Red Frangipani.
Coordination & Logistics
- Nodal Agency: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
- Coordination: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Challenges Faced:
- Survival in new climate.
- Visual aesthetics of the ceremonial area.
- Ensuring embassy-level approval before using substitutes.
Key Takeaways
- Plant survival in alien climates is a known challenge; substitution is a standard protocol.
- Visual consistency maintained via indigenous look-alike species (like Jamun).
- Embassies remained involved in the replacement process, ensuring diplomatic sensitivity.
- The episode reflects eco-diplomacy, biosecurity procedures, and public accountability.
