41 sq km of Southern Ridge declared as reserved forest

The Delhi Government has declared around 41 square kilometres of the Southern Ridge area as a reserved forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the move as a crucial step towards protecting the national capital from pollution and promoting sustainable environmental growth.

“The government is committed to making Delhi a modern capital that is pollution-free, green and environmentally balanced,” the CM said. She added that indigenous trees would be planted across open lands within the newly designated forest area to improve soil fertility and strengthen the ecosystem.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the decision a “milestone” for Delhi, saying it would play an effective role in controlling pollution and expanding the city’s green cover. “The government has made pollution control and environmental protection its topmost priorities. Tree plantation drives are being carried out on scientific lines, focusing on native species suited to local conditions,” he said.

Gupta said that declaring the Southern Ridge as a reserved forest marks the first phase of a broader initiative, under which other Ridge areas will also be notified soon. The plantation drive will include indigenous and fruit-bearing trees such as neem (Indian lilac), peepal (sacred fig), shisham (Indian rosewood), mango, tamarind and jamun (black plum), aimed at enhancing forest density and biodiversity.