The Hindu : New Delhi News : Work to begin on restoration of Ridge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Work to begin on restoration of Ridge

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Work is all set to start for restoration of the Capital’s “natural treasure” -- the Ridge – which according to several environmentalists has lost out on the diversity of its rich plant species.

For the Capital, the Ridge serves as a sink for many pollutants, acts as air purifier and supplier of oxygen.

“The Ridge, declared as a protected forest, needs urgent conservation. We also plan to develop it into a multi-storeyed forest vegetation. Our team is looking at the restoration of the Central Ridge to provide it rich diversity that makes it so vital for the Capital.

We are drawing up a list of plants which would help us do the same. Natural regeneration-cum-enrichment planting of Ridge is being taken up to conserve and protect the biodiversity of the Aravalli region by afforestation of the Ridge through innovative soil and moisture conservation measures,” says C.R. Babu, Professor Emeritus at Delhi University’s Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Eco-system.

“The Ridge is a highly fragmented area and is now home to a mono-culture of plant species ‘kabuli kikkar’ which is killing the diversity of the Ridge. While in some areas of the Ridge ‘kikkar’ has taken over 100 per cent, there are other areas where its population is higher than 70 per cent. We have also lost out on some of our native species and the situation needs to be corrected,” added Prof. Babu.

Meanwhile, following several cases of dumping of construction waste in the Ridge area, Department of Environment has already engaged ex-Servicemen for protection of the Central Ridge.

Also, the Department has undertaken fencing of vulnerable areas to prevent encroachment.

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