Delhi approves forest protection for 1,000 more acres of its Ridge

Delhi has approved reserved-forest status for about 1,000 more acres (400 hectares) of its Southern Ridge, advancing a long-delayed effort to give the land final legal protection. The decision will bring the capital’s formally protected Ridge area to nearly 13,000 acres (5,250 hectares), according to the government.

The land first came under India’s forest law through an initial notification in 1994, but final reserved-forest status had remained pending for decades. The newly approved notification is intended to complete that process under the Indian Forest Act.

The Ridge is an extension of the Aravalli mountain range, and its southern section forms an important ecological link at the range’s northern end. Alongside supporting wildlife and plant life, it helps control dust and regulate local temperatures.

Legal protection is one part of the work ahead. The government says it also plans to restore degraded areas, encourage native species and manage invasive vegetation. The Delhi Ridge Management Board, established in 2026, will oversee conservation and restoration efforts.

Other Ridge parcels still face unresolved land-use issues, including encroachment and existing settlements. Officials say eligible areas will be considered for protection in phases, continuing the effort to safeguard one of Delhi’s important natural landscapes.