Delhi Central Ridge one of the last surviving stretches of the ancient Aravalli ecosystem in the capital, is now facing a new threat in the name of development. The Delhi Forest Department has floated a tender to develop four new themed city forests Tirthankar Van, Ritu Van, Rashi Van and Panchvati Van inside the already degraded Central Ridge. While the project is being presented as an effort to improve green cover, ecologists warn that it could further damage an ecosystem that is already struggling to survive.
The Central Ridge spreads across nearly 864 hectares and forms the largest section of Delhi’s Ridge forest system. Unlike urban parks, this landscape still holds traces of native biodiversity that have adapted to the rocky terrain of the Aravallis for centuries. Experts believe the latest project risks turning this fragile wilderness into a landscaped recreational space filled with artificial plantation patterns, fencing and construction activity.
Although large parts of the Ridge are today covered with invasive species such as Vilayati Keekar, Lantana, Subabool and Gajar Ghaas, the ecosystem beneath this canopy still supports a rich layer of native shrubs, herbs, grasses and climbers. Botanists say many of these species are rare in Delhi and survive only in patches of the Ridge.
Plants like Dipcadi montanum, a bulbous flowering species native to the Indian subcontinent, continue to appear seasonally in the Ridge despite increasing degradation. Several native vines belonging to the Apocynaceae family also grow here and support butterfly species such as the striped tiger butterfly.
Researchers have also documented native grasses, shrubs and medicinal plants that are disappearing from other parts of the city because of rapid urbanisation. Environmental experts argue that even though the Ridge has become ecologically degraded, it still retains immense biodiversity value and can recover if scientifically restored.
However, they say the proposed ‘Van’ project does not follow principles of ecological restoration. Instead of carefully reviving native ecosystems, the project appears focused on plantation drives and beautification.
Plantation Drives May Harm More Than Help
Environmentalists have criticised earlier restoration efforts in the Ridge, saying they often destroy the very biodiversity they claim to protect. Existing projects usually begin with clearing the undergrowth using earth moving machines. This process removes native shrubs herbs and climbers that have naturally survived in the ecosystem.
Authorities have also attempted to control invasive Vilayati Keekar trees by cutting them back and planting vines around them. But experts say this approach has failed because the species quickly regrows and prevents native plants from establishing.
The replacement plantation usually consists of rows of saplings planted in a grid like structure, many of which are not naturally suited to the rocky Aravalli habitat. Species such as Bael, Mango and Neem have reportedly been planted despite not being native to the Ridge ecosystem.
Critics argue that the project misunderstands what “native” truly means. Some species may be Indian, but they are not naturally adapted to the dry rocky conditions of the Ridge. Others, like Jamun and Arjun, usually grow near rivers and water bodies, making them unsuitable for this terrain.
Experts also point out that healthy forests are not made up of identical saplings planted in straight rows. Real forests contain plants of different ages, sizes and structures that evolve naturally over decades.
Scientists Fear Permanent Damage To The Ridge
The concern among ecologists is that repeated disturbance from plantation work construction activity and landscaping may permanently alter the Ridge ecosystem. Sensitive native plants that survive only in small pockets may disappear completely.
Species such as Dipcadi montanum and Drimia indica are especially vulnerable because they depend on stable soil and seasonal ecological cycles. Once the land is repeatedly disturbed, hardy invasive species often return even stronger.
Researchers also warn against the use of nursery grown cloned plants in restoration work. Native plant populations in Delhi’s Ridge have evolved specific local adaptations over time. Plants brought from other regions may struggle to survive and may also weaken the genetic diversity of local ecosystems.
The proposed project also includes hardscaping elements such as fencing waste bins and built infrastructure, raising fears that the Central Ridge may slowly lose its identity as a wilderness area and begin resembling a managed urban park.
Environmentalists believe Delhi urgently needs scientific ecological restoration rather than cosmetic plantation projects. They argue that the Ridge should first be protected from further disturbance and restored slowly using native species, local ecological knowledge and long term planning.
For many researchers the issue goes beyond trees. The Ridge represents one of the final ecological remnants of Delhi’s natural history. If development continues without understanding the ecosystem complexity, the city may lose one of its last surviving natural landscapes forever.
Experts say the Ridge still has the ability to recover but only if conservation replaces beautification and ecological science replaces hurried plantation drives.