Delhi Protects 673 Hectares of Central Ridge as Forest

After more than 30 years of waiting, Delhi has officially declared 673 hectares of its Central Ridge area as protected reserved forest, giving crucial green space the strongest environmental safeguards under Indian law.

The newly protected area surrounds landmarks like Sardar Patel Marg and the President's Estate. It's part of Delhi's Ridge system, a natural barrier of forest land that helps filter air and provide habitat in one of the world's most densely populated metropolitan areas.

This isn't Delhi's first win for its forests. Last October, the government protected over 4,000 hectares of Southern Ridge land, bringing the total protected Ridge area to nearly 4,754 hectares. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta says the remaining unprotected Ridge areas will follow soon.

The protected status matters because it gives these forests legal teeth. Under the Indian Forest Act's Section 20 designation, any attempt to clear or develop the land faces serious legal consequences. For years, courts and the National Green Tribunal repeatedly pushed officials to complete this process, even calling the delays "unnecessary" in a July order.

The Ripple Effect

Delhi's 7,784 hectares of Ridge land serves as the city's primary green lungs. These forests don't just look nice. They actively filter pollutants from the air, regulate local temperatures, prevent soil erosion, and provide critical habitat for wildlife struggling to survive in an urban environment.

With over 60% of Delhi's total Ridge area now under maximum legal protection, the city is sending a clear message about prioritizing green space. The government plans to plant native tree species in vacant areas within these protected zones, strengthening the ecological network even further.

For Delhi's 20 million residents who breathe some of the world's most polluted air, these protected forests represent hope that nature still has a fighting chance in their megacity.