Final notification for Delhi's ridges delayed, legal issues arise

The final notification for the protected status of Delhi's ridges cannot be completed due to ongoing legal cases and land measurement issues. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was informed by the Delhi forest and wildlife department that these matters must be resolved before a final decision can be made. Delhi's ridges, designated as protected forests in 1994 under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, require a final notification under Section 20 for full protection. This final step defines the boundaries of the forests. The department stated that several agencies, including the Delhi Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, need to cooperate for the demarcation process. Delhi has four main ridges covering approximately 7,784 hectares. The largest is the Southern Ridge, followed by the Central Ridge, the South-Central Ridge, and the Northern Ridge. A resident has petitioned the NGT since 2015, requesting better protection for these areas, citing encroachment issues. The NGT had previously ordered action to remove encroachments from the Southern Ridge. However, significant portions of this ridge and the others remain under the management of various agencies. The forest department noted it had identified 74 legal cases that complicate the process. While demarcation of the Southern Ridge has been completed, 307 hectares are still affected by encroachments. The NGT is expected to address the situation in an upcoming hearing and may direct further actions regarding the encroachments and land demarcation.