Centre, Delhi govt to develop ridge into forest land in next 4 years: Shah

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Centre and Delhi Government have resolved to develop 6,300 hectares of green Ridge area into forest land over the next four years and give legal protection to it to conserve its biodiversity, soil, water and Delhi's environment. Launching the 'Mission 70 Lakh Plantation' at PBG Ground in Central Ridge, Shah said, according to the plan, the Delhi Ridge area will have over 70 ponds, small restaurants and eight special forests. Archaeological structures will also be protected, he said. The home minister said 7,784 hectares of Delhi's Ridge area were notified under the Indian Forest Act in 1994, but its final notification was not issued for 30 years. The Delhi Government has declared 5,000 hectares of ridge area as forest land, Shah said, adding that the government is going to provide legal protection to the entire Ridge, giving new form to its biodiversity, soil, water, and Delhi's environment. This 6,300-hectare green Ridge will become the lungs of Delhi, protecting the capital's environment, he said. Under this, more than one crore native plants, more than 65 lakh that will grow into large trees, and 65 lakh other plants will be planted, the Home Minister said. Shah said the Delhi government, with the help of the Centre, has prepared a Working Plan Document (2026 to 2036). "We have formulated the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan, and also prepared Delhi's Bird Atlas. He said this is a comprehensive effort to restore the entire ecosystem. For years, trees that are not environmentally favourable, including Babul, have spread across the Delhi Ridge, Shah said, adding that these will now be removed and replaced with native tree species. "Many poisonous and thorny trees are visible in Delhi's Ridge area, which create an illusion of a green Delhi when seen, but are not favourable to our environment...Within three years, trees that live for more than 100 years, such as peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun, will be planted across the entire Ridge to turn it into the lungs of a green Delhi," he said. The home minister said indiscriminate tree felling has created large holes in the ozone layer, causing an imbalance in the Earth's temperature. "The only way to stop this problem is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the earth. He said only trees can accomplish this task, and that is why Prime Minister Modi has given the slogan 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,'" he said and appealed to the citizens of Delhi to plant one tree in the name of their mother. Shah appealed to all residents of Delhi to visit the Green Drive Portal and book their slot for tree plantation, and to plant trees wherever land is available in nearby schools, colonies, temples, and societies to fulfil the resolve of a green Delhi. He said that free saplings are being provided to people through the 'Vriksh Ratt' launched by the Delhi Government, and the Nursery Locator facility also provides information about nearby nurseries. The Home Minister also launched 300 electric buses, e-inaugurated three newly built bus depots and 40 vehicle testing centres, laid the foundation stone for a High Security Prison in Narela, and also launched a campaign to revive the Ridge area under the Grand Master Plan for developing Delhi. Shah planted trees at the Central Ridge and Nanakpura Ridge, marking the beginning of the Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign. The event was attended by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, and several other dignitaries. The Home Minister said that under an agreement between the Centre and the Delhi government, the cow dung from dairies will be processed into gas and natural manure, which will contribute to the purification of the Yamuna River. He said that in the past year, 129 sewage treatment plants have become operational, and 59 more plants will be set up in the coming period. "These plants will deliver treated water into the Yamuna, and it will also be ensured that the quality of water released from these plants meets all prescribed standards," he said. PTI ABS VIT ABS AMJ AMJ