India, Aug. 23 -- Delhi's forest and wildlife department will issue the final notification under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act to protect 3,300 hectares - nearly 53% - of the total southern Ridge area within the next two months, the department has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This move, pending since 1996 when the Ridge was first demarcated, will grant complete legal protection, define boundaries and prevent future encroachments. Until now, only 96.16 hectares of the 6,200-hectare southern Ridge has been notified under this section.

NGT was hearing a plea filed by activist Sonya Ghosh seeking notification of Ridge areas in Delhi. NGT in 2021 had asked the forest department to complete notification within three months. Bu...