Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a plan to develop a 6,300-hectare forest on the Delhi Ridge area on Tuesday [1].

The initiative seeks to restore the region's ecology and establish the area as the "lungs of Delhi." By increasing green cover, the government aims to improve air quality for the city's residents [1], [2], [3].

The project is scheduled to be implemented over a period of four years [1]. As part of this large-scale campaign, the government will launch a massive tree-planting drive to revitalize the landscape [2], [3].

Reports on the exact scale of the planting vary. One report indicates a target of seven million saplings [2], while another specifies a goal of over 1 crore, or 10 million, native plants [3].

Shah said the project includes a legal shield for the forest to ensure the long-term protection of the restored land [2]. This legal framework is intended to prevent encroachment and preserve the 6,300-hectare area [1], [2].

The Delhi Ridge is a critical environmental zone that has faced degradation over time. The new plantation drive focuses on native species to ensure the ecosystem remains sustainable, and supports local biodiversity [3].

“6,300-hectare forest on the Delhi Ridge”

This project represents a strategic effort to combat Delhi's chronic air pollution by expanding urban forests. By implementing a legal shield and focusing on native species, the government is attempting to move beyond temporary planting drives toward a permanent ecological barrier against urban sprawl.