Overview

• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the designation under the Indian Forest Act for roughly 41 square kilometres, presented as the first phase of a broader Ridge protection plan.
• The government plans scientific plantation drives using native and fruit-bearing species such as neem, peepal, shisham, mango, tamarind and jamun to boost biodiversity and soil health.
• Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the move will aid air-quality improvement and groundwater recharge, calling it a priority for a cleaner, greener capital.
• Officials indicated the file for full protection under Section 20 will go to the Lieutenant Governor for approval before a final gazette notification is issued.
• Separately, the forest department began tightening tree transplantation norms, issuing an EOI to empanel agencies with verified technical capacity and proper machinery to improve survival rates.