New Delhi

The Government of Delhi has granted Reserved Forest status to 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, in a major move aimed at strengthening environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and pollution control in the national capital.

According to an official statement issued on Saturday, the newly notified area falls under the Western Forest Division and includes ecologically sensitive stretches around Sardar Patel Marg and the President's Estate.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the decision as a significant step in protecting the Ridge, often referred to as the “green lungs” of New Delhi.

She said the notification provides stronger legal protection to the Central Ridge and will help prevent encroachments, illegal activities and ecological degradation.

The Reserved Forest declaration has been issued under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, under which activities such as hunting and grazing are prohibited unless specifically permitted by authorities.

The chief minister said the process of granting final legal protection to the Ridge had remained incomplete since its initial notification under Section 4 of the Act in 1994, and that the latest move completes a legal process pending for more than three decades.

The Central Ridge, part of the ancient Aravalli Range system, runs along both sides of Upper Ridge Road and plays a vital role in improving air quality, conserving biodiversity, recharging groundwater and reducing the impact of climate change and urban pollution.

Gupta noted that 4,080.82 hectares of the Southern Ridge had already been notified as Reserved Forest in October last year, and said the government is fast-tracking similar protection for the remaining Ridge areas.

With the latest notification, a total of 4,754.14 hectares of Ridge land in Delhi now enjoys Reserved Forest status.

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The government also announced plans for large-scale plantation of native tree species across suitable Ridge areas, including Neem, Peepal, Shisham, Jamun, Tamarind and Mango.