# Delhi notifies 1,000 acres of Southern Ridge as reserved forest 2026-09-20T01:06:49+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Delhi government has approved the notification of around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of Southern Ridge as Reserved Forest under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decision on September 19, 2026. The move brings the total notified Ridge area in the capital to nearly 13,000 acres (5,250 hectares). The land had been under a preliminary notification since 1994 but final legal status remained pending for decades. According to the government, the notification will provide permanent statutory protection and be accompanied by ecological restoration under the Ridge Working Plan, focusing on native species, degraded area restoration, and invasive species control. The Times of India reports the government highlighted the Ridge as a critical green lung and carbon sink. The Tribune reports Gupta said Delhi must protect its natural heritage alongside development. The Delhi Ridge Management Board, formed in June 2026, will oversee protection and restoration. Remaining portions of Southern Ridge still face encroachments, unauthorised colonies, and religious structures, with joint verification underway by Forest and Revenue departments. The government plans to continue notifying eligible Ridge land in phases as part of a larger ecological restoration programme covering over 6,300 hectares. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both Times of India articles and The Tribune present the notification as a positive ecological step, quoting Chief Minister Gupta's framing of the Ridge as a green shield. The first Times of India story leads with the pending status since 1994 and notes ongoing encroachment challenges, adding a government-critical edge by foregrounding decades of delay and unresolved problems. The Tribune and the second Times of India piece focus on development balance and board oversight, omitting those hurdles. The Southern Ridge now stands at 4,176 hectares notified, the real measure is how many of the remaining encroached parcels get cleared in the next joint verification round. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight minutes-style report on board approvals for ITBP and water projects - tribuneindia.com (pro government) Frames notification as decisive action, highlights development balance - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight minutes-style report on board approvals for ITBP and water projects Tags: Delhi, Delhi Ridge Management Board, Indian Forest Act, Rekha Gupta, southern ridge Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-notifies-1000-acres-of-southern-ridge-as-reserved-forest/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-notifies-1000-acres-of-southern-ridge-as-reserved-forest/#story-in-brief