Published on: October 14, 2025 | New Delhi
In a landmark step for Delhi’s environmental protection, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced that nearly 4,100 hectares of the Southern Ridge—a vital ecological buffer that shields the capital from dust storms and rising pollution—will soon be granted full legal protection as a reserved forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
The move, long delayed since the Ridge’s initial demarcation nearly three decades ago, marks the culmination of sustained efforts by environmentalists, bureaucrats, and legal authorities to safeguard the city’s last remaining stretches of natural forest. Once notified, this will give two-thirds of the 6,200-hectare Southern Ridge the highest degree of statutory protection possible under Indian law.
“Delhi cannot breathe clean air without protecting its lungs,” Gupta said, addressing reporters after a review meeting with senior officials. “By finalizing the notification, we are securing not just a forest, but the future of our children.”
The Ridge: Delhi’s Ecological Lifeline
The Ridge—often described as the “green lung” of Delhi—is part of the ancient Aravalli hill system, which is among the world’s oldest geological formations. Stretching from the southern parts of the capital toward Haryana, the Ridge serves multiple environmental functions: it prevents desertification, moderates temperature, and acts as a crucial carbon sink in a city perennially battling toxic air.
Divided into four main zones—Southern, Northern, Central, and South-Central Ridge—these forested tracts have long been under pressure from unchecked urbanization, encroachment, and illegal dumping. The Southern Ridge, covering areas like Asola Bhatti, Chhattarpur, Tughlaqabad, and Mehrauli, is the largest of the four and most critical for maintaining the capital’s ecological balance.
Despite its importance, full legal protection for the Ridge has remained elusive for nearly 30 years. While it was first notified under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act in 1996—which offers temporary and preliminary protection—the final notification under Section 20 was never issued. This has left the area vulnerable to encroachments, unauthorized construction, and illegal mining.
A Long-Delayed Protection Drive
Officials said the notification file is being finalized and will soon be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. Once cleared, it will be published in the Delhi Gazette, formally granting the area the status of a reserved forest.
“This has been pending for far too long,” Gupta said. “We are determined to close this chapter of administrative delay. The Ridge will finally get the legal protection it deserves.”
The chief minister acknowledged that past governments had failed to act decisively. “Several parts of the Ridge suffered encroachments over the years. For over two decades, no serious action was taken to finalize the notification,” she said, calling the move the first phase of a broader plan to protect all Ridge areas in the capital.
In August, Delhi’s forest and wildlife department had informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that a final notification for over 3,300 hectares would be issued within two months. Officials now say that additional encroachment-free land has been identified, increasing the total to around 4,100 hectares.
What the Legal Shield Means
Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, once an area is notified as a reserved forest under Section 20, it gains the highest level of protection from diversion, construction, and felling. Entry, grazing, and extraction of forest produce are strictly regulated. Even the government cannot alter its use without approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
This means that future development projects—roads, housing, or utilities—will require stringent environmental clearances. For Delhi, which has lost large tracts of natural land to rapid urban expansion, this could be a turning point in preserving its remaining green cover.
“This is an immensely positive development,” said Dr. Rakesh Kumar, a senior environmental scientist formerly with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). “The Ridge acts as a natural barrier against dust and heat from Rajasthan. Legally protecting it ensures that this barrier remains intact and effective.”
Restoring the Green Cover: Native Trees to Be Planted
Alongside the notification, Chief Minister Gupta also announced an ambitious forest restoration and plantation drive, focusing on reintroducing native tree species suited to Delhi’s semi-arid ecology.
“These forests will not just be protected—they will be rejuvenated,” she said. “We will plant neem, peepal, shisham, mango, tamarind, and jamun—species that are native, resilient, and ecologically appropriate for Delhi.”
Officials said the plantation efforts would focus on open and degraded patches within the Ridge. Invasive species such as prosopis juliflora (vilayati keekar), which currently dominate large sections of the Ridge, will gradually be replaced by native varieties to restore biodiversity.
“The Ridge once had a mixed dry deciduous forest structure,” said Dr. Rachna Bhatia, an ecologist with Delhi University. “Reintroducing native trees will not only improve soil quality and water retention but also revive local flora and fauna that have disappeared over decades.”
Gupta emphasized that environmental restoration must go hand in hand with urban development. “We are committed to making Delhi a modern, green, and environmentally balanced capital,” she said.
Environment Minister’s Push for Scientific Tree Plantation
Delhi’s environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa hailed the decision as a major stride in combating the capital’s pollution crisis. “This will play an effective role in controlling air pollution,” Sirsa said. “It’s our government’s firm commitment to make Delhi cleaner and greener through scientific and sustainable methods.”
Sirsa pointed out that many earlier plantation drives failed due to improper techniques and the use of non-native species. “This time, every plantation activity will be backed by scientific planning—right species, right soil, and right care,” he said.
Officials added that the forest department has been directed to develop biodiversity microzones, which will act as self-sustaining ecosystems. Each microzone will feature specific species combinations designed to attract pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
Tree Transplantation Under Scrutiny
While new plantations are planned, the government is also tightening regulations for tree transplantation—a practice that has come under heavy criticism for poor survival rates and unscientific execution.
In a review meeting held earlier this week, Minister Sirsa directed the forest department to empanel only those agencies with proven technical competence, advanced machinery, and successful track records in transplantation.
“Until now, many agencies were using backhoe loaders or other crude equipment to uproot and transport trees, which severely damaged their root systems. As a result, most transplanted trees did not survive,” Sirsa said.
To address this, the department will now require agencies to use professional tree transplanter machines—capable of lifting fully grown trees with intact root balls and soil. These machines, commonly used in developed countries, can ensure higher survival and stability after replanting.
Low Survival Rates Prompt Reform
Delhi’s tree transplantation record has long been dismal. Data from the forest department indicates that the survival rate of transplanted trees over the last five years has averaged below 35%. In some high-profile cases, the rate was as low as 15%, prompting sharp criticism from the Delhi High Court and environmental watchdogs.
“Transplantation became a ritual—a way to justify tree cutting for projects,” said Vimlendu Jha, environmental activist and founder of Swechha India. “Trees were being uprooted and replanted without care or monitoring, leading to mass mortality. It’s encouraging that the government is finally taking this seriously.”
Sirsa said the new empanelment policy aims to end these inefficiencies. “We are introducing a scientific, transparent system. Only qualified, well-equipped agencies will be allowed to handle transplantation work,” he said. “With modern technology and proper maintenance, we can achieve survival rates of over 70%.”
Expression of Interest Issued
Following the minister’s directions, the forest department has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting applications from professional tree transplantation agencies.
The EOI outlines detailed requirements for:
- Technical capacity (including number of trained horticulturalists and arborists)
- Experience (documented success in transplantation of mature trees)
- Machinery standards (use of hydraulic or vacuum-based tree transplanters)
- Post-transplant care (maintenance for at least 24 months)
Officials said the empanelment process will be completed within two months. Once finalized, only these approved agencies will be allowed to undertake transplantation projects for government and private developments.
Accountability and Monitoring
In addition to empanelment, the government plans to establish a centralized monitoring system to track the health of transplanted trees. Using geo-tagging and periodic inspections, the forest department will record the survival status of every transplanted tree.
“Each tree will have a digital identity,” said an official involved in the initiative. “This will prevent false claims of survival and ensure accountability.”
The department also plans to impose penalties on contractors if transplanted trees die within the maintenance period, thereby incentivizing better aftercare.
Balancing Urban Growth with Green Preservation
Delhi’s rapid urban expansion has long come at the cost of its natural landscapes. Between 1990 and 2020, studies show the city lost over 2,000 hectares of forested land to infrastructure, housing, and road projects. The Ridge, once stretching uninterrupted from Central Delhi to Gurgaon, has been fragmented by encroachments, stone quarries, and real estate development.
With over 1.8 crore residents and 10 million registered vehicles, Delhi’s ecological pressure is immense. Seasonal air pollution, compounded by construction dust and vehicle emissions, routinely pushes the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the “severe” category.
In this context, the legal protection of the Southern Ridge could serve as a vital environmental buffer—absorbing carbon dioxide, trapping dust, and recharging groundwater.
“Every hectare of forest saved here directly contributes to cleaner air for millions,” said Dr. Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Delhi’s battle against pollution is as much about policy as it is about protection of existing natural assets.”
Learning from Past Oversights
Successive administrations have pledged to protect the Ridge, but bureaucratic delays and political indifference have hindered implementation. The lack of coordination between multiple agencies—the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), forest department, and revenue department—has also contributed to inertia.
“Files kept moving between departments for years,” said a retired forest official who worked on the original demarcation process. “Meanwhile, encroachments mushroomed. If this notification had come 20 years ago, much of the Ridge would have been intact today.”
Gupta’s government has pledged to not only complete the notification process but also initiate action against illegal encroachments and violations in Ridge zones.
Public Participation and Awareness
Officials emphasize that public participation will be crucial in protecting the Ridge once it is declared a reserved forest. Plans are being made to involve local communities, schools, and NGOs in conservation activities, awareness drives, and plantation programs.
“People living near the Ridge are its natural guardians,” said P. D. Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. “We want them to take pride in preserving it.”
The government also plans to install eco-education centres in Ridge areas to promote awareness among youth and encourage responsible tourism.
A Green Vision for the Capital
Gupta concluded her announcement by linking the Ridge protection to a larger environmental vision for Delhi. The government, she said, is preparing a “Green Delhi 2040 Roadmap”, which will integrate forest protection, pollution control, and green infrastructure under a unified policy framework.
“This is about building a city that breathes, not chokes,” she said. “Delhi will be a model of sustainable urban living where progress and preservation coexist.”
Environmental experts say that if implemented effectively, the notification could be a watershed moment in Delhi’s environmental history.
“Legal protection under Section 20 is the strongest shield available under Indian law,” said Dr. Bhatia. “It ensures continuity. Governments may change, but the forest’s legal status will remain.”
Conclusion: Protecting the Past, Securing the Future
For decades, the Southern Ridge stood as a silent witness to Delhi’s transformation—from a green, hilly landscape into a dense urban sprawl. The upcoming notification aims to restore its rightful status as a protected ecological sanctuary, shielding the capital from its own excesses.
The parallel tightening of tree transplantation norms reflects a growing recognition within the administration: that protecting Delhi’s environment is not about symbolism, but science, accountability, and long-term stewardship.
As the city awaits the final gazette notification, the message from the government is clear—Delhi’s environmental future depends on protecting its last natural frontiers today.
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