Delhi Government Declares Central Ridge as Reserved Forest and Proposes New Planting Methods
Introduction
The Delhi government has officially declared 673.32 hectares of the Central Ridge as a reserved forest to improve environmental protection.
Main Body
The Central Ridge, located near the President’s Estate and Sardar Patel Marg, was protected under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This decision ends a long period of legal uncertainty; although the process started in 1994, final protection was delayed for over thirty years. This new notification follows orders from the Supreme Court issued in November 2025 and only applies to land that is not involved in legal disputes. Consequently, the total protected area of the Ridge system has increased to 4,754.14 hectares. At the same time, the government has proposed a ₹5 crore project to create a high-density 'Miyawaki' forest on 10 acres of the Central Ridge. The Forest and Wildlife Department emphasized that traditional planting methods have not been successful enough. The new plan involves removing invasive plants and planting between 100,000 and 150,000 saplings. Furthermore, the government intends to plant native species, such as neem and peepal, to increase biodiversity and improve groundwater levels. However, some ecological experts disagree with this technical approach. Critics assert that the Miyawaki method is a tool for planting trees quickly rather than a way to restore a natural environment. They argue that this high-density method does not match the natural Aravalli hill system and uses too much water. These specialists maintain that a healthy ecosystem can only be restored if the government first studies the site's ecological history.
Conclusion
The Central Ridge now has stronger legal protection, although experts still disagree on whether the Miyawaki planting method is the right choice for the area.
Learning
⚡ The 'Opinion Bridge': Moving from Simple to Sophisticated
At an A2 level, you usually say: "Some people think X, but others think Y." To reach B2, you need reporting verbs. These words change the 'flavor' of the statement and show you understand the strength of the argument.
🔍 Analysis of the Text
Look at how the article describes the fight between the government and the experts. It doesn't just use "say" or "think."
| A2 Word | B2 Upgrade (from text) | What it actually means |
|---|---|---|
| Say | Assert | To say something strongly and confidently. |
| Say | Maintain | To keep saying the same thing, even when others disagree. |
| Say | Emphasize | To show that a specific point is very important. |
🛠️ How to use this for Fluency
Instead of a flat sentence, create a Contrast Loop.
- Step 1 (The Claim): The government emphasizes that traditional methods failed. (This sounds official and urgent).
- Step 2 (The Pushback): However, critics assert that the method is too fast. (This sounds like a strong, aggressive argument).
- Step 3 (The Stance): Specialists maintain that history must be studied first. (This sounds like a firm, unchanging belief).
💡 Pro Tip for the B2 Transition: Stop using "think" for everything. When you are reading or writing, ask yourself: Is the person being aggressive (Assert)? Are they being firm (Maintain)? Or are they highlighting a fact (Emphasize)? This is the secret to sounding academic and precise.