Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Delhi's Southern Ridge Finally Declared Reserved Forest After 30-Year Delay
After 30 years, Delhi's Southern Ridge, a large part of the Delhi Ridge forests, has finally been declared a 'reserved forest'.
This means it's now protected from activities like encroachment and tree felling.
The delay was due to land disputes and a long verification process.
Only part of the Southern Ridge is currently protected, and the rest will be in future phases.
Delhi government published official notification demarcating 4,080 hectares of Southern Ridge as 'reserved forest'
Protection now prohibits encroachment, tree felling, and non-forest activities in the area
Delay due to land disputes and lengthy ground verification process
Only 4,080 hectares of the 6,200-hectare Southern Ridge are currently protected, with about 2,000 hectares still unnotified
NGT's 2013 petition by activist Sonya Ghosh drove forward the notification process
- Who
- Delhi government
- What
- Declared 4,080 hectares of Southern Ridge as 'reserved forest'
- When
- 24 October 2022 (published in Delhi Gazette on 28 November 2022)
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- To protect the forest from encroachment and other non-forest activities
Environmentalists
Government authorities and private entities
Protection of Ridge
Environmentalists
Environmentalists have been pushing for the Ridge's protection from encroachment and other harmful activities.
Government authorities and private entities
Government authorities and private entities have been encroaching upon and exploiting the Ridge land for various purposes.
- Total Ridge area
- 7,000 hectares
- Southern Ridge area
- 6,200 hectares
- Area notified as reserved forest
- 4,080 hectares
- Year initial notification was issued
- 1994
- Year final notification was published
- 2022