What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

Confusing the four zones - especially mixing up Central Ridge (864 ha) with Southern Ridge (~6,200 ha). Also, students may think 'Reserved Forest' is under Wildlife Protection Act instead of Indian Forest Act. Another trap: assuming all planted species are native - the article shows only 7 out of 22 are characteristic Ridge species.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 70 lakh trees plantation target; 6,300 hectares to be developed as forest land; 4 zones of Delhi Ridge with areas (Northern 87 ha, Central 864 ha, South-Central 626 ha, Southern ~6,200 ha) 2. Target this Legal Point: Sections 4 and 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 for reserved forest declaration; Ridge Management Board constituted on 6 Oct 1995 per SC direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India 3. Target this Nodal Body: Ridge Management Board (under Chief Secretary, 8 members); Forest Research Institute (FRI) for Working Plan

EnvironmentEcology

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News 9 of 27

Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign: 70 Lakh Plantation Drive, 6,300 Hectares to be Reserved Forest

Q: Which Act governs the declaration of Reserved Forests in India?

Indian Forest Act, 1927, The Indian Forest Act, 1927 provides the legal framework for declaring Reserved Forests. Under Section 4, a preliminary notification is issued, and under Section 20, final notification is made. The Wildlife Protection Act deals with Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries), not Reserved Forests.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. The Delhi Ridge is a northern extension of the Aravalli Hill Ranges. 2. The Southern Ridge is the smallest zone of the Delhi Ridge. 3. The Ridge Management Board was constituted in 1995 following a Supreme Court direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The Delhi Ridge is the northern extension of the Aravalli Hill Ranges. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Southern Ridge is the largest zone at ~6,200 ha, not the smallest. Statement 3 is correct: The Ridge Management Board was constituted on 6 October 1995 as per Supreme Court directions in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India.

Q: What is the total area of the Delhi Ridge that the government plans to develop into forest land under the Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign?

6,300 hectares, The article states that the Centre and Delhi government have resolved to develop 6,300 hectares of the Green Ridge area into forest land over the next four years. 6,200 hectares is the area of the Southern Ridge alone, 864 ha is the Central Ridge area, and 7,000 ha is not mentioned.

Q: Why is the planting of exotic species like Jacaranda and Sausage tree in the Central Ridge considered problematic?

They require high water and nutrient input, which is unsustainable in the dry Ridge ecosystem, The article explains that the Ridge is a tropical dry thorn forest with xerophytic adaptations. Species like Jacaranda and Sausage tree are not characteristic of Ridge ecosystems and typically require higher moisture availability and sustained irrigation. Planting them goes against ecological restoration principles. While some are exotic, the primary concern is their unsuitability to the dry conditions, not just being non-native.

Environment PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

08 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:70 lakh trees plantation target6,300 hectares to be developedCentral Ridge 864 haSouthern Ridge ~6,200 haNorthern Ridge 87 haSouth-Central Ridge 626 ha

Bodies:Delhi Forest and Wildlife DepartmentForest Research Institute (FRI)Ridge Management BoardSupreme Court of India

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Centre and Delhi government launch 'Mission 70 Lakh Plantation' and Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign to restore 6,300 hectares of Ridge as forest land with legal protection.

2.The Ridge is a northern extension of the Aravalli range, divided into four zones (Northern, Central, South-Central, Southern) — Southern Ridge is largest (~6,200 ha) and driest.

3.Examiners will test knowledge of Reserved Forest process (Sections 4 & 20 of Indian Forest Act, 1927), invasive species (Prosopis juliflora, Lantana camara), and the Morphological Ridge concept.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

Delhi has launched its most ambitious urban forest drive — the Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign — aiming to plant 70 lakh trees and develop 6,300 hectares of the Ridge into legally protected forest land over four years. This is critical for UPSC because it links to Indian Forest Act provisions, ecological conservation, and the role of the Aravalli range as Delhi's green lung.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Plantation Target70 lakh trees (20.01 lakh trees, 37.07 lakh shrubs, 92,960 bamboo saplings)

Ridge Area to be Developed6,300 hectares

Central Ridge Area864 ha (notified reserved forest in 1994, final notification in 2024-25)

Southern Ridge Area~6,200 ha (largest zone)

Key Legal ProvisionsIndian Forest Act, 1927: Section 4 (preliminary notification) and Section 20 (final notification)

Invasive Species Dominance44.13% relative dominance in parts of Central Ridge (Prosopis juliflora & Lantana camara)

Ridge Management Board Constituted6 October 1995 (SC direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India)

1-Minute Revision

›Total Plantation Target: 70 lakh trees (20.01 lakh trees, 37.07 lakh shrubs, 92,960 bamboo saplings)
›Ridge Area to be Developed: 6,300 hectares
›Target this Data: 70 lakh trees plantation target; 6,300 hectares to be developed as forest land; 4 zones of Delhi Ridge with areas (Northern 87 ha, Central 864 ha, South-Central 626 ha, Southern ~6,200 ha)
›Target this Legal Point: Sections 4 and 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 for reserved forest declaration; Ridge Management Board constituted on 6 Oct 1995 per SC direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India
›Target this Nodal Body: Ridge Management Board (under Chief Secretary, 8 members); Forest Research Institute (FRI) for Working Plan

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News Snapshot

🌳

Mission 70 Lakh Plantation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a mega plantation drive under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, aiming to plant 70 lakh trees across Delhi, with free distribution of saplings to schools and RWAs.

⚖️

Reserved Forest Status for Central Ridge

After 30 years, the Central Ridge (864 ha) received final notification under Section 20 of Indian Forest Act, giving the Forest Department stronger legal powers to prevent encroachment.

🔬

Species Suitability Controversy

Analysis of plantation records showed that out of 22 species planted in Central Ridge, only 7 are characteristic Ridge species; exotics like Sausage tree and Jacaranda are unsuitable.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context: Delhi Ridge as an Ecological Shield

The Delhi Ridge is the northernmost extension of the ancient Aravalli Hill Ranges, acting as the 'green lung' of the capital. It comprises tropical dry thorn forest with xerophytic adaptations. The ridge is divided into four zones: Northern (87 ha), Central (864 ha), South-Central (626 ha), and Southern (~6,200 ha). It functions as a natural barrier against desertification from the arid west, shielding Delhi from dust storms.

Core Analysis: Legal Protection and Plantation Drive

The campaign aims to develop 6,300 hectares of Ridge into forest land over four years with legal protection. The Central Ridge was declared a reserved forest under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act in 1994; final notification under Section 20 was completed in 2024-25 after 30 years. This gives the Forest Department authority to regulate activities and prevent encroachment. The plantation target includes 20.01 lakh trees, 37.07 lakh shrubs, and 92,960 bamboo saplings, plus free distribution of 12.04 lakh saplings to encourage Jan Bhagidari.

Critical Issue: Unsuitable Tree Species Plantation

An analysis by The Indian Express revealed that of at least 22 species planted in Central Ridge between 2021-2025, only seven are characteristic Ridge species (e.g., dhak, khair, Cassia fistula). Nine species are unsuitable, including exotics like Sausage tree (Kigelia africana), Jacaranda, and Jungle Jalebi. Native species not naturally found in the Ridge (e.g., banyan, peepal) are also being planted. This raises concerns about ecological restoration principles versus cosmetic greening.

Invasive Species Threat

A decadal Working Plan (2026-27 to 2036-37) by Forest Research Institute noted that invasive species account for 44.13% relative dominance in parts of Central Ridge. Major invasives: Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Kikar) introduced during colonial afforestation, and Lantana camara introduced for ornamental purposes. Both disrupt native ecosystems and biodiversity.

Future Outlook: Morphological Ridge and Conservation Challenges

The Morphological Ridge is a geologically extended area not officially notified as forest but protected by court rulings. It shares the same rocky outcrop and dry thorn forest vegetation. The government plans to develop 'Special Vans' (Tirthankara Van, Ritu Van, etc.) in Central Ridge, which environmentalists contest. Success of the campaign depends on strict adherence to ecological restoration principles, control of invasive species, and legal protection of the entire morphological ridge.

Key Facts at a Glance

Total Plantation Target70 lakh trees (20.01 lakh trees, 37.07 lakh shrubs, 92,960 bamboo saplings)

Ridge Area to be Developed6,300 hectares

Central Ridge Area864 ha (notified reserved forest in 1994, final notification in 2024-25)

Southern Ridge Area~6,200 ha (largest zone)

Key Legal ProvisionsIndian Forest Act, 1927: Section 4 (preliminary notification) and Section 20 (final notification)

Invasive Species Dominance44.13% relative dominance in parts of Central Ridge (Prosopis juliflora & Lantana camara)

Ridge Management Board Constituted6 October 1995 (SC direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which Act governs the declaration of Reserved Forests in India?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements:

1. The Delhi Ridge is a northern extension of the Aravalli Hill Ranges.

2. The Southern Ridge is the smallest zone of the Delhi Ridge.

3. The Ridge Management Board was constituted in 1995 following a Supreme Court direction in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What is the total area of the Delhi Ridge that the government plans to develop into forest land under the Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Why is the planting of exotic species like Jacaranda and Sausage tree in the Central Ridge considered problematic?

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Delhi Ridge Rejuvenation Campaign: 70 Lakh Plantation Drive, 6,300 Hectares to be Reserved Forest

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Mission 70 Lakh Plantation

Reserved Forest Status for Central Ridge

Species Suitability Controversy

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context: Delhi Ridge as an Ecological Shield

Core Analysis: Legal Protection and Plantation Drive

Critical Issue: Unsuitable Tree Species Plantation

Invasive Species Threat

Future Outlook: Morphological Ridge and Conservation Challenges

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance