| The capital city
of Delhi is spread around a dry deciduous forestland known as
Delhi Ridge, which is a part of the Aravalli hills, one of the
oldest mountain systems in the world. This small forest tract
remain the ‘green lung’ for more than 12 million
people of Delhi and has a crucial role in pollution absorption,
groundwater recharge and amelioration of environment. It is
the only natural forest in Delhi and boasts a wide variety of
plant, animal, bird and insect species.
The inability of Government’s
agencies
to keep the area from being used for developmental
purposes as well as lack of awareness of local communities
have degraded the ecological balance of the Ridge. A large
portion of it is unprotected and malls, hotels, etc. have
come up in the area often without the required environmental
clearances. Active mining in the adjacent areas have modified
the landscape. Habitations along the fringes of the Ridge
have also exerted pressure on the biodiversity of the area.
The battle to save the Delhi Ridge and its forests is an
ongoing one. As the Geological Survey of India puts it ‘the
Ridge must be maintained in its pristine glory and no further
infringements are permitted’.
This web-section documents the significance
of Delhi Ridge
for the people of Delhi, the problems
affecting its survival and the concerted effort of the policy
makers, civil society and the citizens of Delhi to restore
its pristine glory through policies
and campaigns
. |
