Delhi’s Central Ridge Declared a Reserved Forest

The Delhi Government has officially declared around 670 hectares of the Central Ridge area as a “Reserved Forest” under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The move grants the highest level of legal protection to one of Delhi’s most ecologically sensitive green zones and aims to strengthen conservation efforts against encroachment, urbanisation and ecological degradation.

Key Highlights of the Development

The Central Ridge lies around Sardar Patel Marg and the President’s Estate area.

The move provides stronger legal safeguards against:

Illegal construction

Encroachment

Deforestation

Ecological damage

The declaration came after a delay of more than three decades in granting full legal protection to the area.

About Delhi Ridge

Delhi Ridge is the northernmost extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world. It acts as the “green lungs” of Delhi by regulating climate, absorbing pollution and supporting biodiversity.

Major Features:

Extends across nearly 35 km in Delhi.

Spread over about 8,000 hectares in the National Capital Territory (NCT).

Characterised by:

Quartzitic rocks

Thin nutrient-poor soil

Dry deciduous and thorn forest ecosystem

Ecological Importance

The Ridge:

Acts as a carbon sink

Absorbs particulate pollution

Protects Delhi from hot desert winds from Rajasthan

Supports biodiversity including:

Nilgai

Jackals

Porcupines

Several bird species.

Divisions of Delhi Ridge

Delhi Ridge is divided into four major sections:

Northern Ridge

Central Ridge

South-Central Ridge

Southern Ridge

The Southern Ridge is the largest component and includes the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

What is a Reserved Forest?

A Reserved Forest is the most protected category of forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Key Features

Declared under Section 20 of the Act.

Activities such as:

Grazing

Hunting

Tree cutting

Resource extraction

are prohibited unless specifically permitted.

Reserved forests account for more than half of India’s recorded forest area.

Environmental Concerns Related to Delhi Ridge

Invasive Species

The invasive plant Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Kikar), introduced during British rule, has spread extensively and threatens native Aravalli vegetation by:

Consuming groundwater

Preventing growth of native species.

Urban Encroachment

The Ridge faces threats from:

Illegal settlements

Road expansion

Construction activities

Debris dumping.

Ecological Restoration Debate

Environmentalists have criticised:

Miyawaki plantations

Theme-based forests

Non-native plantation drives

for disturbing the Ridge’s natural dry forest ecosystem.

Supreme Court and Ridge Conservation

The Supreme Court recently expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) in protecting Ridge forests and stressed the need for holistic conservation of the Aravalli ecosystem.

Additional Key Facts:

Aravalli Range:

One of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.

Extends from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Delhi and Haryana.

Acts as a natural barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.

Indian Forest Act, 1927:

Consolidates laws related to forests and forest produce.

Classifies forests into:

Reserved Forests

Protected Forests

Village Forests

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located in the Southern Ridge of Delhi.

Forms part of the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor.

National Green Tribunal:

Established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act.

Deals with environmental protection and conservation cases.