What is Delhi Ridge – Significance
The Delhi Ridge is a range of low hills that runs through the center of Delhi, India.
It's an important feature of the city for a number of reasons:
Ecological Benefits: The Ridge acts as the "green lungs" of Delhi.
Its filters the air and providing a habitat for wildlife.
It also helps to regulate the city's temperature and protect it from dust storms coming from the west.
Biodiversity: The Ridge is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a variety of plants and animals, including over 100 species of birds.
This makes it a valuable resource for nature lovers and scientists.
History: The Ridge is part of the Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in India.
It has played a role in Delhi's history for centuries, with some evidence suggesting it was protected as far back as the Mughal era.
Critical situation of the Delhi Ridge due to encroachment, land diversion, and a lack of effective management
Encroachment: This is a major threat.
Reports suggest several hundred hectares of Ridge land have been encroached upon.
Often for building farmhouses, religious structures, or commercial establishments.
This not only reduces the green cover but also fragments the ecosystem.
Land Diversion: Despite being designated a protected area, some portions of the Ridge have been diverted for non-forestry purposes.
This weakens the ecological integrity of the Ridge and reduces its ability to perform its natural functions.
Management Issues: The Ridge suffers from a lack of unified and effective management.
Multiple agencies oversee different sections, which can lead to gaps and inconsistencies.
Additionally, reports suggest slow removal of encroachments and a lack of proper demarcation of the Ridge boundaries.
Here are some consequences of this critical situation:
Reduced Ecological Services: Encroachment and land diversion shrink the green cover, reducing the Ridge's ability to filter air, regulate temperature, and mitigate dust storms.
Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat loss due to encroachment disrupts the ecosystem, threatening the plant and animal species that call the Ridge home.
Increased Vulnerability to Climate Change: A degraded Ridge weakens Delhi's resilience to extreme weather events like heat waves.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC)
CEC is a committee formed by the Supreme Court of India to monitor and implement the court's orders related to environmental issues.
Formation: Established in 2002 by the Supreme Court of India
Purpose: Monitors the implementation of the Court's orders on environmental matters
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