India, July 15 -- The Delhi government has started work on an afforestation drive to plant more than 7 million saplings across the capital using the "Aranya dense forest technique". The initiative will use a layered plantation model, geo-tag every sapling and monitor survival rates digitally, officials said.

Officials said saplings will be planted at multiple sites under the city's mega plantation campaign. Unlike conventional avenue plantations, the Aranya technique involves planting saplings close together to recreate the structure of a natural forest, creating dense green patches that require less maintenance.

To facilitate the drive, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has floated tenders for fencing plantation sites under the "Ar...