Central Ridge gets 'reserved forest' tag, Pg5

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi government declared approximately 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge as a 'reserved forest' under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
• This decision aims to strengthen Delhi's natural heritage, biodiversity, and ecological security.
• The move comes 32 years after the initial notification of Delhi's Ridge areas under Section 4 of the same Act on May 24, 1994.
• Approximately 4,080.82 hectares of the Southern Ridge were declared 'reserved forest' on October 24 last year.

Detailed Insights:

• The Central Ridge is part of the larger Delhi Ridge system, divided into Northern, Central, South-Central, and Southern Ridge.
• The reserved forest status helps prevent encroachments, illegal activities, and ecological degradation in the Ridge areas.
• The notification is significant because the Central Ridge involves multiple land-managing agencies, reducing ambiguity over protection and enforcement.
• The National Green Tribunal in 2021 emphasized the urgent need to finalize Section 20 notification for Ridge protection.
• The Delhi government plans to plant native tree species like neem, peepal, shisham, jamun, tamarind, and mango in the reserved forests.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Reserved Forest: An area designated under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 with a high degree of protection.
• Indian Forest Act, 1927: Legislation that consolidates laws related to forests, transit of forest produce, and forest revenue.
• Section 4 & 20: Sections of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 pertaining to preliminary and final notification for constituting a reserved forest.