By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi, September 19, 2026: In a major move to strengthen Delhi’s ecological security and green cover, the Delhi Government led by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has approved the notification of around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of additional land in the Southern Ridge as Reserved Forest.
With the latest decision, the total notified Ridge area will rise to approximately 13,000 acres (5,250 hectares), marking a significant step towards long-term environmental protection in the national capital.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision has been taken under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, stressing that the Delhi Ridge is not only part of the capital’s natural heritage but also serves as a vital green protective shield.
“Protecting the Ridge is not limited to preserving trees and forest areas; it is directly linked to Delhi’s clean air, biodiversity, temperature regulation and environmental security,” the Chief Minister said.
She said the government is working to provide permanent statutory protection to as many eligible areas of the Ridge as possible, while simultaneously focusing on the scientific restoration of degraded ecological zones.
Long-Pending Ridge Notification Accelerated
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the final notification of several Ridge areas had remained pending for a long period. The Rekha Gupta Government has now made the process a priority and accelerated efforts to ensure the protection, restoration and revival of the Delhi Ridge for future generations.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the Ridge, an extension of the Aravalli mountain range, is among Delhi’s most important natural green areas. It plays a role in conserving biodiversity, controlling dust and regulating local temperatures, while strengthening the capital’s natural resilience against air pollution and climate change.
The Southern Ridge is described as an important ecological link at the northern end of the Aravallis and as Delhi’s “green lung” and a carbon sink.
Focus on Scientific Ecological Restoration
CM Rekha Gupta said legal protection alone would not be sufficient and that restoring the Ridge ecosystem would remain an equally important priority.
Under the Ridge Working Plan, the government is taking forward scientific ecological restoration, with emphasis on native plant species, rehabilitation of degraded areas and scientific management of invasive species.
The statutory process for notifying other eligible Ridge areas as Reserved Forest is also underway, with additional areas to be brought under permanent protection in a phased manner.
The Delhi Ridge Management Board, constituted in 2026, will oversee conservation, restoration and management of the Ridge. Its responsibilities include Ridge protection, scientific ecological restoration, afforestation and habitat conservation.
Development and Environmental Protection to Move Together
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi’s development must go hand in hand with protection of its natural heritage.
She described the Ridge as a centuries-old natural legacy of Delhi and said protecting nearly 13,000 acres represents a commitment to safeguarding the capital’s air, biodiversity and environmental balance.
The Chief Minister said the government wants development and environmental protection to progress together, describing the latest decision as an investment in cleaner air, healthier lives and a more secure environmental future for generations to come.
She also called for the participation of Delhi’s citizens in further strengthening the city’s green campaign.
