Delhi's Southern Ridge Finally Receives Full Reserve Forest Status

After three decades of delays, Delhi's Southern Ridge has been officially notified as a reserve forest, covering 4,080 hectares. This final notification grants full legal protection, allowing immediate action against encroachment. Despite this progress, other Ridge areas remain incomplete in their legal designation under the Indian Forest Act.

In a landmark move after over three decades of waiting, Delhi's Southern Ridge has been officially designated as a reserve forest, covering a substantial 4,080 hectares. This step fulfils a long-standing legal requirement that had been stalled since the first declaration in 1994, government officials have announced.

The final notification, published under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, grants comprehensive legal protection to most of the Southern Ridge, facilitating swift action against illegal encroachments. The move marks the first significant advance in Ridge protection efforts in years, although other Ridge zones have yet to complete their legal processes.

The National Green Tribunal had mandated in 2021 that all Ridge areas should be officially notified within three months, a deadline that remains unmet. The lands certified as encumbrance-free span 13 villages, including Bhatti, Dera Mandi, and Asola, serving as a crucial natural barrier against environmental challenges for the capital.

(With inputs from agencies.)