673 Hectares of Central Ridge Granted Reserved Forest Status Under the Leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

A Major Step by the Rekha Gupta Government Towards Environmental Protection and Pollution Control
The Reserved Forest Area Covers Parts Around Sardar Patel Marg and the President’s Estate
Native Tree Species Will Be Planted Across Ridge Areas to Strengthen Biodiversity and Ecological Balance: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, May 2026 : In another historic step towards environmental protection, expansion of green cover, and pollution control in the national capital, the Delhi Government has declared approximately 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge area as Reserved Forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The move has been undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta. The area falls under the Western Forest Division of the Forest Department and covers parts surrounding Sardar Patel Marg and the President’s Estate. According to the Chief Minister, the government has already decided that large-scale plantation of native and environmentally suitable tree species will be carried out wherever suitable vacant land is available in the Ridge areas declared as Reserved Forests.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision would prove to be a milestone in strengthening Delhi’s natural heritage, biodiversity, and ecological security. She stated that providing legal protection to Delhi’s ecologically sensitive Ridge areas had remained pending for several decades. “With commitment and determination, our government has declared nearly 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge area as Reserved Forest. This decision reflects our commitment towards environmental conservation, expansion of green cover, and securing a safe and balanced future for coming generations,” she said. The Chief Minister further stated that the Delhi Government is continuously working to preserve the capital’s green assets and protect environmentally sensitive areas.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that with the declaration of the Central Ridge area as Reserved Forest, an important process pending for more than three decades has finally been completed. She said that despite the initial notification of Ridge areas in 1994, these areas could not receive final legal protection for a long period. Taking decisive steps in this direction, the present government has achieved a historic milestone in environmental conservation by notifying the Central Ridge area as Reserved Forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

The Chief Minister informed that the Central Ridge is located in the heart of the national capital and stretches along both sides of Upper Ridge Road. She said the Delhi Ridge is an extension of the ancient Aravalli hill system and is regarded as the “green lungs” of the capital. The Ridge plays a crucial role in improving air quality, conserving biodiversity, strengthening groundwater levels, and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and urban pollution.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta further informed that all five Ridge areas of Delhi were initially notified under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 in the year 1994. Subsequently, as a major step towards environmental conservation, approximately 4080.82 hectares of the Southern Ridge area were declared Reserved Forest on October 24 last year. With the present notification of 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge, the current government has so far granted Reserved Forest status to a total of 4754.14 hectares of Ridge areas. The Chief Minister said that other Ridge areas of Delhi would also soon be notified as Reserved Forests under Section 20 and the process is being expedited.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that large-scale plantation of native and environmentally suitable tree species would be undertaken in suitable vacant areas across the Reserved Forest regions. These would include species such as neem, peepal, shisham, jamun, tamarind, and mango trees. She said the objective of the initiative is not merely to increase green cover, but also to strengthen the ecology of Ridge areas, conserve biodiversity, maintain soil fertility, and preserve ecological balance.

The Chief Minister stated that the declaration of the Central Ridge area as Reserved Forest would now provide stronger statutory protection to the region. This would help prevent encroachments, illegal activities, and ecological degradation. It would also strengthen conservation and scientific management initiatives being undertaken by the Forest Department in Delhi’s Ridge areas. She said the Delhi Government is working with complete seriousness and sensitivity towards scientific forest management, ecological conservation, and expansion of green cover. “Our objective is not merely to increase greenery, but to permanently strengthen Delhi’s environmental balance,” she said, adding that the decision would prove to be a significant step towards ensuring clean air, a secure environment, and better quality of life for future generations.