India, April 29 -- Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday banned non-electric and non-essential government and private vehicles from entering Delhi's forests and protected areas with immediate effect. The minister also directed the forest department to replace all diesel-run and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) within 60 days.

The minister said the directions were an attempt to urgently minimise pollution and safeguard wildlife in Delhi's forests.

"Delhi forests deserve quiet, clean mobility - not smoke and noise," he said, adding that state forest and wildlife department was instructed to conduct a detailed study on vehicles and submit a transition plan within seven days.

"Fu...