Such steps will play an effective role in protecting Delhi’s natural heritage and environment: CM Rekha Gupta
Northern Ridge is an invaluable natural heritage and essential for the environmental health of the capital and future generations: CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, October 2026 : The Rekha Gupta government has taken an important step towards protecting Delhi’s natural heritage and green areas by approving the Phase-I notification for the Northern Ridge under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Under the notification, 112.328 hectares, or 277.56 acres, of land in the Northern Ridge is being declared a reserved forest. The area is part of the Aravalli mountain range and serves as an important green and ecological zone for Delhi.
Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said the Northern Ridge is an invaluable part of Delhi’s natural heritage and its protection is crucial for the city’s environmental health as well as for future generations. She said the approval of the Phase-I notification to declare 112.328 hectares of land as reserved forest reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Delhi’s green areas and making the capital healthier, greener and more resilient to environmental challenges. The Northern Ridge serves as Delhi’s ‘green lungs’ and an ecological hub. Granting it legal protection as a reserved forest will further strengthen the foundation for its long-term conservation.
Significant expansion of reserved forest area compared with previous governments
The Chief Minister said the current government has made significant progress in providing legal protection to forest areas in Delhi. Under previous governments, only 96.16 hectares (237.611 acres) of land had been notified as reserved forest, while 5,267.009 hectares (13,014.77 acres) have been notified during the tenure of the present government so far. With the notification of 112.328 hectares of the Northern Ridge, the total area will now rise to 5,363.169 hectares, or approximately 13,252.390 acres.
As part of this wider conservation drive, the Delhi government had also approved last month the notification of around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of additional land in the Southern Ridge as reserved forest. This has further strengthened the government’s efforts to protect Delhi’s Ridge areas and its natural green heritage.
Environmental conservation and the fight against pollution go hand in hand
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the effort to make Delhi cleaner, greener and healthier cannot be limited to reducing the immediate effects of pollution; strengthening the city’s natural ecology is equally important. Protecting natural areas such as the Northern Ridge, expanding green areas and maintaining ecological balance will give Delhi greater long-term resilience in dealing with air pollution and climate-related challenges. Her government is continuously strengthening the fight against pollution while also protecting Delhi’s natural heritage for future generations.
The Chief Minister said that in the same direction, more than 73 lakh saplings have been planted in Delhi this year. The plantation drive is still underway. In addition, citizens have been encouraged to plant trees in and around their homes through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ citizen campaign and the ‘Vriksh Rath’ initiative.
Work is also being undertaken on the construction of check dams and natural regeneration in Ridge areas to improve groundwater recharge. School and college students have also been engaged as ‘Eco-Warriors’ to raise awareness about climate and biodiversity.
Demarcation, habitat management and public participation in the next phase
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the process of protecting the Northern Ridge will continue. The next phase will include measures related to demarcation of the area, habitat management and community participation. This will further strengthen the conservation of the Northern Ridge and reinforce its role as Delhi’s green lungs and an ecological hub. The Chief Minister said protecting Delhi’s greenery and natural heritage remains a sustained priority for the government. Green areas and natural resources are the foundation of the capital’s sustainable future, and the government will continue to take steps for their protection.
