Delhi to develop 6,300 hectares of Ridge area into forest land in four years

New Delhi, July 7: In a major push towards making the national capital greener and more sustainable, Union Home Minister  Amit Shah on Tuesday announced an ambitious plan to transform 6,300 hectares of Delhi’s Ridge into protected forest land over the next four years, describing it as the future “lungs of Delhi.”

Launching the Mission 70 Lakh Plantation campaign, Shah said the Centre and the Delhi Government have jointly resolved to restore the Ridge ecosystem by planting more than one crore native saplings, including over 65 lakh large tree species such as peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun and jamun, along with another 65 lakh supporting plants.

“The Government of India and the Delhi Government have resolved to fully develop 6,300 hectares of green Ridge into forest land and ensure its protection. This Ridge will become the lungs of Delhi and play a vital role in safeguarding the capital’s environment,” Shah said.

He said the Delhi Government, with support from the Centre, has prepared a Working Plan Document (2026–2036), a comprehensive Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan, and Delhi’s Bird Atlas as part of an integrated effort to restore the city’s ecological balance.

The event also marked the inauguration and foundation laying of several infrastructure projects under Delhi’s Grand Master Plan. Shah flagged off 300 electric buses, virtually inaugurated three new bus depots and 40 automated vehicle testing centres, and laid the foundation stone for a High Security Prison in Narela.

Highlighting the importance of Ridge conservation, Shah said that although 7,784 hectares of the Ridge were notified under the Indian Forest Act in 1994, the final notification remained pending for three decades. He said the Delhi Government has now notified 5,000 hectares as forest land and is working towards providing legal protection to the entire Ridge landscape.

He noted that invasive thorny and non-native species currently dominate large parts of the Ridge, creating only the appearance of greenery while harming the ecosystem. These species will gradually be replaced with native trees capable of surviving for over a century.

“ग्रीन ड्राइव पोर्टल पर जाकर एक पौधा मांगेंगे, एक पौधा बोएंगे, तो याद रखना आपके पोते-पोती भी उसी पौधे की छांव में बैठेंगे। इतने बड़े आयु वाले पेड़ों को हमने चुना है।

मैं आज इस मंच से सभी दिल्लीवासियों को कहना चाहता हूं, ग्रीन ड्राइव पोर्टल पर जाइए। वृक्षारोपण के लिए अपना स्लॉट… pic.twitter.com/2EZVDVR13F

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) July 7, 2026

The restored Ridge will also feature more than 70 ponds, eco-friendly visitor facilities, and the conservation of archaeological heritage sites. Eight thematic forests, including Nakshatra Van, Mel Van, Rishi Van, Tirthankar Van, Shankar Van, Vaman Vriksha Van, and Purani Vatika, will be developed to strengthen people’s connection with nature.

On the issue of Yamuna rejuvenation, Shah said the government is moving rapidly to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a clean river. He announced that an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) would soon ensure that cattle dung from Delhi’s dairies no longer enters the Yamuna.

“The previous Delhi government allowed nearly 1,500 metric tonnes of dung to flow into the Yamuna every day. Under the new arrangement, the waste will be converted into biogas and organic manure, making a significant contribution to cleaning the river,” he said.

Shah added that 129 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have become operational over the past year, while 59 additional STPs are planned. These facilities will ensure that only treated water meeting prescribed quality standards is discharged into the Yamuna.

He also highlighted the Delhi Government’s newly launched Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, saying it complements initiatives such as Ridge restoration and Yamuna rejuvenation to reduce pollution and promote sustainable urban development.

“Through Yamuna purification, comprehensive restoration of the Ridge, ecological conservation and the EV policy, we will realise the vision of a greener, cleaner and more sustainable Delhi,” Shah said.

The event was attended by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra and other senior dignitaries.