The Delhi government has officially declared 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge as a reserved forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This announcement, made by the Chief Minister’s Office on May 9, 2026, is considered a historic step in environmental conservation.
The newly designated area falls within the Western Forest Division, encompassing regions around Sardar Patel Marg and the President’s Estate. This decision received approval from Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, though the formal gazette notification is still pending.
Despite longstanding court directives, the notification of Delhi’s Ridge areas as reserved forests had been delayed for years. According to the Forest Department, the total Ridge area in Delhi spans 7,784 hectares. With this latest move, the current administration has now designated 4,754.14 hectares as reserved forests.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the urgency of protecting these areas, highlighting the declaration of 4,080.82 hectares of the Southern Ridge last year. Plans are underway for large-scale planting of native species in newly protected areas.
The National Green Tribunal has repeatedly underscored the importance of this initiative, citing delays in implementing Section 20 notifications. The tribunal’s orders in January 2021 and July 2025 stressed the need for swift action, which has now culminated in this significant achievement.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 11, 2026
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