Parts of the Delhi Ridge have recently been notified as Reserved Forests to ensure stricter protection. This means those areas now fall under forest law, and unauthorized activities like dumping, encroachment, or tree cutting are legally punishable. Other ridge areas, unless notified, may still be vulnerable to urban pressure and lack enforcement mechanisms.
A Reserved Forest is legally protected under the Indian Forest Act and enjoys stricter conservation status than general ridge areas. Activities are prohibited unless explicitly permitted.
Reserved Forest vs. Ridge Area: Key Differences
| Feature | Reserved Forest | General Ridge Area (Unnotified or Non-Reserved) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | Notified under Indian Forest Act or State Forest Acts | May be ecologically important but not legally protected |
| Protection Level | Highest: All activities prohibited unless allowed | Limited or none: Activities generally allowed |
| Land Use Restrictions | Strict: No grazing, construction, or tree felling without permission | Flexible: May allow limited development or access |
| Government Oversight | Managed by Forest Department with legal enforcement | May fall under municipal or urban planning authorities |
| Ecological Importance | Critical for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and habitat preservation | Often part of urban green cover, erosion control |
| Public Access | Restricted or regulated | Often open to public use (parks, trails, etc.) |
(Souce-AI)
According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the decision is a major step towards protecting the national capital from pollution and strengthening the environment in a sustainable manner. The government has decided to declare approximately 41 square kilometres of the Southern Ridge area a reserved forest. Government will now plant indigenous trees on open land within such forest areas, so that the soil remains fertile and the environment is further strengthened. She added that the governmentтАЩs priority is to make Delhi a modern capital that is pollution-free, green, and environmentally balanced.
DelhiтАЩs Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that this decision will play an effective role in controlling pollution in the capital. The government has also raised questions regarding the negligence of the previous administration in this matter. The Chief Minister also informed that for nearly twenty years, the Ridge areas of the capital had been neglected. Previous governments neither took any initiative n9or any steps to protect these zones. As a result, several parts of the Ridge suffered encroachments, and the greenery began to decline.
She said that from the very beginning, her government has shown a strong commitment to safeguarding and enhancing DelhiтАЩs environment and greenery. Continuous meetings and coordination among various departments have been carried out for this purpose, leading to this important decision. According to the Chief Minister, under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, around 41 square kilometres of the Southern Ridge area have been declared as a reserved forest zone. She said that this decision would effectively protect DelhiтАЩs greenery.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that declaring the Southern Ridge area as a reserved forest marks the first phase of the initiative. Other Ridge areas in Delhi will also soon be declared as reserved forests, and the process for this is already underway.
The Chief Minister also stated that wherever there is open land within the reserved forest areas, indigenous and fruit-bearing trees will be planted to increase forest density. These will include trees such as neem (Indian Lilac), peepal (Sacred Fig), shisham (Indian Rosewood), mango, tamarind, and jamun (Black Plum). The positive outcome of this initiative will be that the land in these areas will remain fertile, biodiversity will be strengthened, and ecological balance will be maintained.
She emphasised that the Delhi Government is working with utmost seriousness and sensitivity towards protecting and improving the cityтАЩs environment and greenery. тАЬOur priority is to make Delhi a modern capital with a pollution-free, green, and balanced environment. In this direction, the government has taken this important decision. This step will not only preserve DelhiтАЩs greenery but will also ensure clean air and a healthy environment for future generations,тАЭ she said.
According to the Chief Minister, the greenery lost due to years of neglect and encroachment in the Ridge areas is being restored with sincere efforts by her government. The Delhi Government believes that environmental protection is not an optional policy but an essential responsibility for the preservation of life.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa described this decision as a milestone for Delhi. He said that the government has made pollution control and environmental protection its topmost priorities. Declaring 41 square kilometres of the Southern Ridge as a reserved forest is part of this very policy. This decision will prove decisive in controlling air pollution and expanding greenery in the capital. He added that the government is conducting tree plantation drives based on scientific principles, planting native species suited to local conditions. This will not only help reduce pollution but also strengthen the groundwater level and the natural ecosystem. The Delhi Government aims to provide every citizen with a clean, green, and healthy environment.
This decision represents a positive shift from the neglected policies of the past and sends a clear message that the present government believes not merely in making announcements but in taking concrete, result-oriented action for the protection of the environment.
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