India, Sept. 20 -- The Delhi government has approved around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of additional land in the Southern Ridge as reserved forest, taking the total notified ridge area in the Capital to around 13,000 acres (5,250 hectares), the chief minister's office said on Saturday.

The Rekha Gupta government said the decision was taken under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, to bring the additional area under statutory protection.

"The ridge is not only a part of the Capital's natural heritage but also its green protective shield. Protecting the ridge is not limited to preserving trees and forest areas; it is directly linked to Delhi's clean air, biodiversity, temperature regulation and environmental security," Gupta said....