The Hindu : New Delhi News : Dumping poses threat to the Ridge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Dumping poses threat to the Ridge

By Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29. Delhi has the distinction of being one of the few metros in the world that possesses a city forest. But the last of the city's breathing spaces is witnessing large-scale dumping of debris over the past few months.

And while dumping is strictly illegal, the construction debris abandoned by the tonne in the area can choke and kill the green lung if unchecked, warn environmentalists.

Spread over almost 7,800 hectares, the Ridge is an extension of the Aravalli Hills and stretches from South Delhi, branching out in places and tapering off near the west bank of the Yamuna. The Ridge is divided into four zones - the southern ridge, the south central ridge, the central or the new ridge, and the northern ridge.

Mass scale dumping is happening at the upper Ridge road where tonnes of construction debris are being thrown at night. The debris is brought into the area from the nearby Karol Bagh and Patel Nagar, where large scale construction is going on.

While dumping at the Ridge is illegal, the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court requires that the Ridge be manned at all times to prevent violation of the rules. The absence of any security guards and checks at the Ridge, gives the construction workers ample "space" for dumping.

"The Ridge is rapidly shrinking, falling prey to construction activities, conversion of forests to parklands, encroachments and garbage dumping. A large portion of the Ridge was declared protected, however, the legal protection given is weak and encroachments continue, including by the government itself.

And despite all the protection, the Delhi Ridge has been constantly eyed by urban planners as empty land, reflecting their narrow and short-term thinking," said Kishore Wankhade, of the non-government organisation Srishti.

The violation at the Ridge happens despite the Supreme Court order and the existence of the Ridge Management Board, both the notified as well as the non-notified Ridge area is under threat, claim environmentalists.

"The Ridge is a unique showcase of urban biodiversity and has to be strictly protected. The dumping which is clearly illegal has to be stopped, because if left unchecked, it can kill the Ridge. The locals should understand that the area has to be treated with respect and needs to be protected. Not only is it part of the oldest mountain chain in the world, the Aravalis, but is also an environmental buffer for the city as well as its water system," added Mr. Wankhade.

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