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Taking a big step towards environmental protection and expansion of green areas in the capital, the Delhi government has declared a large part of the Central Ridge area as a reserved forest. Under this decision taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, an area of ​​about 673.32 hectares has been given the status of protected forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This area will remain under the Western Forest Division of the Forest Department.

This reserved forest area is connected to the Central Ridge and also includes areas around Sardar Patel Marg and Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate. According to government information, the move is aimed at increasing the declining green cover in Delhi, controlling pollution and preserving biodiversity. The Chief Minister has said that wherever vacant and suitable land is available in this reserved forest area, trees of indigenous and eco-friendly species will be planted there.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that this decision has been taken under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Under this, approximately 673.32 hectare area has been given the status of reserved forest. He said that this sector was waiting for legal protection for a long time. According to the Chief Minister, this decision is an important step towards giving stronger legal protection to the environmentally sensitive ridge areas. He said that the government has completed this process with strong will and this decision will ensure a safe and balanced environment for the coming generations.

This reserved forest area is connected to the Central Ridge and also includes the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate and other important areas around it. The government has said that in the areas declared reserved forests, wherever suitable land is available, trees of indigenous and eco-friendly species will be planted. It aims to revive Delhi’s declining green wealth and reduce pollution.

Delhi government has declared the Central Ridge area as a reserved forest. This decision completes the process pending for almost three decades. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that a preliminary notification was issued to the ridge areas in the year 1994, but they could not get final legal protection for a long time. Now, taking concrete steps in this direction, the government has declared the Central Ridge as a reserved forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

The Chief Minister said that the Central Ridge is located in the center of the capital and it is an area spread on both sides of the Upper Ridge Road. The area is also connected to Sardar Patel Marg and important parts around Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate. He said Delhi Ridge is an extension of the ancient Aravalli mountain range and is considered the “green lungs” of the capital. This sector plays an important role in improving air quality, conserving biodiversity, strengthening groundwater levels and mitigating the effects of climate change and urban pollution.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta informed that in the year 1994, all the five ridge areas of Delhi were notified under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. After this, making significant progress towards environmental protection, on October 24 last year, about 4080.82 hectares of the southern ridge area was declared as reserved forest. Now with 673.32 hectare area of ​​the Central Ridge also being declared as reserved forest, the government has so far given the status of reserved forest to a total of 4754.14 hectare ridge area. The Chief Minister said that the government aims to soon declare all the ridge areas of Delhi as reserved forests under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The processes for this are being carried forward rapidly.

Environment friendly trees will be planted

The Delhi government has planned large-scale plantation of trees in the ridge areas declared as reserved forests. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that in areas where suitable and vacant land is available, trees of indigenous and eco-friendly species will be planted. These will include trees like Neem, Peepal, Shisham, Jamun, Tamarind and Mango. This campaign will be run in a phased manner in other ridge areas including the Central Ridge. The aim of the government is not just to increase greenery but to strengthen the entire ecosystem. The Chief Minister said that this initiative will conserve biodiversity, improve land fertility and help in maintaining natural balance. Besides, this step will also play an important role in controlling the increasing pollution and improving air quality in the capital.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that with this decision this sector will now get stronger legal protection. This will help in effectively checking encroachment, illegal activities and environmental degradation. He said that after this decision, the conservation and scientific management work being carried out by the Forest Department in the ridge areas will be further strengthened. Besides, the monitoring system will also be more effective than before. According to the Chief Minister, the government is working with full seriousness and sensitivity regarding scientific forest management, ecological conservation and expansion of green areas. He said the objective is not just to increase greenery but also to strengthen the environmental balance of the capital in the long term.

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