NEW DELHI: More than 225 acres of forest land in the capital have been made encroachment-free across multiple forest divisions, official data revealed, with the bulk of the clearance reported from the southern parts of the city.
According to data compiled by the forest department, around 91.15 hectares of land that translates to roughly 225 acres, have been cleared of encroachments since 2019-20, primarily in the South and West forest divisions, while several other areas are still in the process of reconciliation with land-owning agencies.
In the South Forest Division, the highest removal was recorded in the South district, where around 77 hectares or nearly 190 acres of forest land were cleared between 2019-20 and 2024-25, though a year-wise break-up was not given.
On the other hand, in the South-East district, about 2.92 hectares or around 7.2 acres was cleared during the same period, with year-wise removal recorded at 0.11 hectares in 2019-20, 1.85 hectares in 2020-21, 0.56 hectares in 2021-22, and nearly none in 2022-23 and 0.4 hectares in 2023-24.
In the West Forest Division, about 11.23 hectares, or roughly 27.7 acres, of land have been cleared of encroachments between 2019-20 and 2023-24 in parts of the Southern Ridge in the New Delhi district, including areas such as Rajokari, Rangpuri, Ghitorni and Mahipalpur.
The year-wise removal stood at 7.67 hectares in 2019-20, 0.4 hectares in 2020-21, 1.57 hectares in 2021-22, 0.7 hectares in 2022-23 and 0.89 hectares in 2023-24, data said.
Further, the data also indicated that in certain divisions, particularly in areas classified under deemed forests or managed by different agencies, details are being compiled in coordination with the land-owning authorities.
Officials also pointed out that in many divisions, there is “no encroachment” reported on forest land under the direct control of the forest department, while information regarding other areas is being updated in consultation with relevant agencies.
The data also showed that action taken has included the issuance of notices, demarcation exercises and communication with revenue authorities and other departments for the removal of unauthorised structures. The figures come amid ongoing monitoring of forest conservation and efforts to remove encroachments in the national capital.