18 hrs ago

Delhi Approves Reserved Forest Status for Northern Ridge Land

Delhi has approved stronger legal protection for 112.3 hectares of the Northern Ridge.

This means the land will be designated as a reserved forest under a forest law.

However, 8.61 hectares of demarcated land were left out of this notification.

Records say more than 2,073 hectares across the Ridge zones are still not included in proposed notifications.

The government has also approved protection for part of the Central Ridge, and another Southern Ridge phase is awaiting approval.

Officials say that encroachments, court cases and unfinished land-record work make the process difficult.

Courts and the National Green Tribunal have urged authorities to do more to protect the Ridge.

The government is proceeding in phases, so some areas are still awaiting a final decision.

Key facts

Northern Ridge approved: 112.3 hectares under a Phase-I Section 20 notification
Northern Ridge excluded: 8.61 hectares of demarcated land
Ridge land still outside proposed notifications: 2,073.226 hectares across all Ridge zones, according to Delhi Ridge Management Board meeting minutes
Central Ridge notified: 673.32 hectares
Southern Ridge phase awaiting approval: 400.541 hectares, awaiting the Lieutenant Governor’s approval
Applicable law: Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927
Reasons for delays cited by the Forest department: Encroachments, pending litigation and incomplete revenue proceedings

indianexpress.com · 18 hrs ago