Assessment Of Green Spaces and Its Conservation in Urban Areas

of Delhi

S K Srinivasa Naidu

BP/780/2018

Bachelor of Planning

2017 – 2022

Department of Physical Planning

School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Acknowledgement
I would like to sincerely thank my thesis supervisor Dr. Mayank Mathur without
whom the success of this research would not have been possible. Thank you, sir, for
your patience with my shortcomings and helping me through the research with the
data and my ideas, despite being busy and making me form a cohesive study from
my all my ideas.

I also would like to thank my co-supervisor Mr. Rajeev Malhotra for their continuous
support and guidance. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the faculty
members of Physical Planning Department for their support and critiques at every
stage of this thesis. Without their precious inputs the research would not have been
polished to this level. I would also like to specially my parents. I cannot thank my
dad and Mom enough for their constructive criticism in the initial stages of my thesis
with a different and interesting perspective which helped me through the research.

I would like to thank people and correspondents at the Delhi Forest Department,
for their time and support and the timely data provision required for conducting this
research. Lastly, I would like to thank my classmates with their constructive criticism
and help throughout the process of this research. Without all the help the following
research would never have been possible.

i
Abstract

Greens are inarguably necessary for the basic survival of human as a species.
Green Spaces are planned into every Urban Areas so that they cannot just mitigate
the effects of pollution but rather promote mental and physical health on a whole.
But Urban development tends to speak about building of green Spaces but what
about the greens which already existed. Greens such as forests, ridges and other
greens which over the years these spaces have been side-lined in the name of
various developments. These greens are as important if not more as these are the
areas which have grown for hundreds if not thousands of years as various kinds of
forests.

Especially in huge cities such as Delhi where green more important than ever for
the health of the residents of the city. Green/Forest cover improves the health and
well-being of urban residents through the elements in the urban environment
facilitating psychological relaxation and stress relief, providing enhanced
opportunities for physical activity and reducing exposure to noise, air pollution
and excessive heat.

The aim of this study is to look and asses the conservation these greens’ spaces in
Urban Delhi from it acts and policies which govern their conservation, National
and International standards and parameters for its conservation. While assessing
how the existing greens are coexisting or are being conserved with the Urban
spaces. This research aims to see how the greens have evolved/developed in
Delhi the years. This involves going through the various data sources and
comparing them to see their gaps and in some cases miss representation of the
data in a few cases. This is to be further studies with a case study at a smaller area
which allows for the study of various projects, developments and parameters
which effect the Green/forest space in that case study Zone. On a whole the Aim of
the study is to assess the greens of the city though its data and case study area
while showing the shortcomings while giving suggestions for future and its
improvements.

ii
Contents
Acknowledgement ...................................................................................................... i

Abstract ........................................................................................................................ ii

List of Tables .............................................................................................................. vii

List of Figures ............................................................................................................ vii

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Research Background and Introduction .................................................... 1

1.2 Need for the Study ....................................................................................... 2

1.3 Aims and Objectives .................................................................................... 3

1.4 Research Methodology ............................................................................... 3

1.5 Key Terminology .......................................................................................... 5

1.6 Nomenclature for Forest Cover in India .................................................... 5

2 Green Cover in Urban Spaces of India ............................................................. 7

2.1 Forest Cover on a city Biases ...................................................................... 8

2.1.1 Delhi ........................................................................................................ 9

2.1.2 Mumbai .................................................................................................11

2.1.3 Bangalore .............................................................................................12

2.2 Inferences ....................................................................................................14

3 Understanding Forest cover Laws: The Acts and Policies effecting Delhi .15

3.1 Acts ...............................................................................................................15

3.1.1 Indian Forest Act of 1865: ..................................................................15

3.1.2 Indian Forest Act of 1878: ..................................................................15

3.1.3 Indian Forest Act of 1927: ..................................................................16

3.1.4 Forest Conservation Act, 1980: .........................................................17

3.1.5 Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994: .............................................17

3.2 Policy ............................................................................................................18

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 3.2.1 Forest Policy of 1894: .........................................................................18

3.2.2 Indian Forest Policy, 1952: .................................................................18

3.2.3 National Forest Policy ,1988: .............................................................20

3.3 Inferences ....................................................................................................21

4 Nomenclature and Parameters for Assessment of Green Cover ................22

4.1 Forest Survey of India _ Forest Classification ..........................................22

4.2 Master Plan of Delhi Nomenclature .........................................................22

4.2.1 2001 Master Plan .................................................................................23

4.2.2 2021 Master Plan .................................................................................23

4.2.3 2041 Draft Master Plan .......................................................................23

4.3 Parameters To Calculate Green Spaces in Urban Areas .......................23

4.3.1 Tangible Parameters: ..........................................................................24

4.3.2 Intangible Parameters:........................................................................24

5 Analyzing The Forest/Green Cover of Delhi ..................................................25

5.1 Land Use/Land Cover Data and Analysis ................................................25

5.2 Forest Department and Forest Survey Data Analysis ............................28

6 Case Study: Zone J ............................................................................................31

6.1 Zonal Context ..............................................................................................31

6.1.1 Zonal and Master Plan over years .....................................................32

6.1.2 Reason for Case Study region ...........................................................33

6.1.3 Land Suitability and existing settlements of the Zone J .................34

6.2 Accessibility of the greens Survey ............................................................35

6.3 Zone J Settlement Typology .....................................................................36

6.4 Regional Park and Built up ........................................................................37

6.5 Declaring the Forest/Green Cover as reserved......................................38

6.6 Gap in the Greens Cover ...........................................................................39

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 6.7 Metro Project ..............................................................................................39

7 Implication of the Study and the Assessment ................................................42

7.1.1 City Level ..............................................................................................42

7.1.2 Zone J Level .........................................................................................42

8 Assesments and Proposals ...............................................................................44

8.1 Acts and Definitional Problems with Defining Green cover and its
conservation .................................................................................................................44

8.2 Decrease in Green Cover in Urban Spaces in terms of the Green Spaces
per Capita. The Indian Standard uses % of greens in an Area ..............................45

8.3 Exponential increase in Built up space in development which have

replaced there Urban foresee spaces and green cover .........................................45

8.4 FSI and its inconsistent use of Forest cover and its definition. .............45

8.5 Reality of Green Cover contradicting what existing on ground in Delhi

46

8.6 User Survey shows inaccessibleness of Green Cover in Delhi and Zone
J 47

8.7 LDRA Spaces being considered Greens cover or Green Cover Adjacent
in Delhi over the Master Plans and Some of these spaces being declared as
reserved forests............................................................................................................47

9 Appendix ............................................................................................................50

9.1 Timeline of LDRA (Lower Density Residential Areas).............................50

9.1.1 (1954) Delhi Reforms Act....................................................................50

9.1.2 1962Master Planform House .............................................................50

9.1.3 (1990) Master Plan 2021_Farm House..............................................50

9.1.4 (1995) Janak Juneja Committee ........................................................51

9.1.5 (1998) Malhotra Committee ...............................................................51

9.1.6 2007_2021 Master Plan ......................................................................51

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 9.1.7 (2013) Drablow Density Residential Area ........................................52

9.1.8 (2019) ....................................................................................................52

9.1.9 (2020) ....................................................................................................53

10 References ......................................................................................................54

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List of Tables
Table 1-1: Forest Cover Nomenclature Across India ............................................. 6
Table 2-1: Forest and Tree Cover (2001 To 2011) In Indian Cities ...................... 7
Table 5-1: FSI Forest Cover Classifications ...........................................................22
Table 6-1: LULC Delhi Forest/Green cover Data 1977,1993,2006,2014 ..........25
Table 6-2: LULC Delhi Data .....................................................................................27
Table 6-3: Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person) Over the years (LULC) ........28
Table 6-4: FSI Report Delhi Forest/Green cover Data (Forest Survey of India,
2001-2021) .......................................................................................................................28
Table 6-5: Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person) and % of Total Green Cover
(FSI) ....................................................................................................................................30
Table 7-1: Zone J Distribution.................................................................................33
Table 7-2: Zone J Settlement Typology Data........................................................37
Table 7-3: Delhi Ridge Spaces Table .....................................................................39
Table 7-4: Trees removed for Siler Line Metro .....................................................41

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List of Figures
Figure 1-1: Relation Between Greenspace and Self Perceived Health of An
Average Person.................................................................................................................. 2
Figure 1-2 Research Methodology of the Study ..................................................... 3
Figure 2-1: Delhi Ridge (Sinha, 2014) ....................................................................10
Figure 2-2 Mangroves in Mumbai (Times of India, 2021) ....................................11
Figure 2-3: Mumbai Forest Areas from 1988 to 2018(Shahfahad et al., 2021) 12
Figure 2-4 Forest Cover Bangalore (Times now, 2020) .......................................13
Figure 2-5 Built up of Bangalore (Shahfahad et al., 2021) ..................................13
Figure 5-1 : LULC Maps OF Delhi 1977,1993,2006,2014 ...................................26
Figure 5-2: Built up Spaces Vs Total Green Cover ...............................................28
Figure 5-3: Dense Vs Open Forests ......................................................................28
Figure 5-4: Forest cover Map of Delhi (FSI Report) ..............................................29
Figure 6-1: Zone J Zonal Context Map (Google Earth, 2022) .............................31
Figure 6-2: Zone J Master and Zonal Plans ..........................................................32
Figure 6-3: Zone J Master Plan 2041 .....................................................................33
Figure 6-4 Delhi Ridge Spaces................................................................................33
Figure 6-5: Land Suitability Map Zone J ...............................................................34
Figure 6-6: Zone J Settle Meents ............................................................................35
Figure 6-7: Green Usability and Accessorily Data ................................................36
Figure 6-8: Zone J Settlement Typology ...............................................................36
Figure 6-9: Built up in Regional Park 2003-2020 ..................................................38
Figure 6-10: Delhi Ridge Spaces ............................................................................39
Figure 6-11: Silver Line Metro Google Map (DMR) ..............................................40
Figure 6-12: Delhi Silver and Ridge Spaces Map (Times of India, 2021) ..........40

viii
1 Introduction
1.1 Research Background and Introduction

Forests as a concept is very broad and are defined in many ways this maybe in terms
of tree density, height, land use, legal definitions or ecological function. But broadly
speaking everyone recognizes forests as spaces of large green areas, spaces with
various flora and fauna which has been growing naturally for presumed various
centuries. This is even reflected in the origin of its name which is derived from Old
French Forest/forès which means “forest, vast expanse of land covered by trees".
Forest cover on a whole is very important in any scale as they consist of most of the
greenspace on the planet and the importance of forests cannot be underestimated.
We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use.
Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans they also prevent
soil erosion and mitigate climate change (UN, 2010)

And we perceive them as such as areas namely the Forest Cover which are vast and
expansive ideally untouched lands which are far away from Urban Spaces. But in
almost all the instances Urban spaces and Forest cover are very intimately
connected due in various ways. Urban spaces often contain pockets and ridges of
these large spaces of forest cover in them or in many cases a boundary with them.

Urban Spaces themselves are defined highly dense in terms of human population
and settlements which is in direct contrast with the nature of Forest cover. But the
same time Forest Cover or any greens in general are something any Urban area/city
needs. As Green spaces often do increase the quality of urban settings, enhance
local resilience and promote sustainable lifestyles, improving both the health and
the well-being of urban residents (World Health Orginazation, 2017)

Greens in Urban spacers may also refer to green infrastructure of built-up urban
greens but Forest Cover in Urban areas has existed in cities throughout th world
and the country of India. And this aspect of Forest cover is also very important in an
Urban Area if not more than that in a rural space as these areas often act as the lungs
of a city where most of the air is more or less purified. The presence of green spaces
also of the to help many in the other ways and medical research has actually shown
that the presence of green space in people’s living environment has an important
effect on health and that Population clusters and people who live further away from
the greens are the one who are often less healthy while compared to the people
who are living closer to the greens. (Maas et al., 2006a)

Figure 1-1: Relation Between Greenspace and Self Perceived Health of An Average Person

So, the nessicities and importance of green spaces and Forest Cover in Urban areas
are apparent along with the with necessity for the conservation of the Forest Cover.
But at the same time there have been many a case where the growth and expansion
of Urban spaces in many ways directly affecting these Forest cover and this Study
aims to see the relation between these spaces and predominantly on the aspects of
conservation of this Forest cover and to see and assess the impact of the urban
spaces on it.

1.2 Need for the Study

All this and more have been said to state the huge importance of Forest over along
with green spaces in Urban areas. But in various scenarios it can be seen that this
invaluable resource of a Forest is being obviously being impacted by the growing
urban spaces. This is necessary across the all the urban spaces in the country and in
New Delhi.

2
1.3 Aims and Objectives

The Approach in the Thesis is to assess the Green Spaces of Delhi and their
conservation while contrasting it with the aspect of Increased Built up spaces and
the type of Developments. Delhi has seen a growth in terms of the percentage in
Greens when only considering % of Total Green Cover from 11.32 to 12.62. Delhi
unlike most cities has a clearer data on Unauthorized development along with
Authorized development which is affecting the greens. Through that research
questions the following set of Aims and objectives were structured as following:

Aim: To assess the Green Spaces and its conservation in Urban Spaces of Delhi

Objectives:

• To Study thew green spaces in urban Areas and in Particular Delhi

• Assess the integration of these green areas with the urban fabric of Delhi
though the cases studies
• Identifying the planning parameter to assess the green Spaces to see if the
developments which effect the greens are Formal or Informal in Delhi.
• To analyze the quantum of depletion through various processes
• Recommend alternatives in order to conserve the green spaces

1.4 Research Methodology

Figure 1-2 Research Methodology of the Study (As seen in the next page)

3
4
1.5 Key Terminology

Forest Cover: Forest cover is the amount of land area that is covered by forest. (UN,
2010)

Or

Lands more than one hectare in area with a tree canopy density of more than 10%
are defined as Forest Cover. (Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021)

Habitat conservation: Habitat conservation is a management practice that seeks to

conserve, protect and restore habitats and prevent species extinction,
fragmentation or reduction in range. (Spring & Thomas, 1984)

Biodiversity: Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and

ecosystem level.

Urbanization: Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas,
the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and
the ways in which societies adapt to this change.

Urban development: The development or improvement of an urban area by

Areas/building.

Urban Green Space: Urban green space is defined as all urban land covered by
vegetation of any kind. This covers vegetation on private and public grounds,
irrespective of size and function, and can also include small water bodies such as
ponds, lakes or streams

Green Cover: Green Cover, defined as natural or planted vegetation covering a

certain area of terrain, functioning as protection against soil erosion, protecting the
fauna, and balancing the temperature.

Tree Cover: The ‘tree cover’ is defined as tree patches outside recorded forest areas
exclusive of forest cover and less than the minimum mappable area of one hectare.

1.6 Nomenclature for Forest Cover in India

5
Even though there have been various aspect of forest areas and Forest Cover which
are defined by the various acts and polices The Nomenclature of Forest Cover in
India has often been very inconsistent across various states. This varies from City to
city where Forest cover can be called anything from Large Green cover to Most
recently Urban Woodland which is a term coined by the DDA for Master Plan of
Delhi 2041 with is defined as” Areas within protected and reserved forests that are
developed to provide people access to a variety of flora, fauna and natural
environment”. (DDA, 2021)

Table 1-1: Forest Cover Nomenclature Across India

Nomenclature Source

Green Areas/Green Cover /Forest

Chennai Chennai Master Plan 2026
Cover

Urban woodlands (was Large Green

Delhi Draft MPD 2041
Cover/Spaces in 2021)

BDA Revised Master Plan

Bangalore Forest Area/Large Greens
2031

Mumbai Forest Cover Final RP for MMR 2036

Hyderabad Urban Forest/Large Greens HMDA Master Plan 2031

So, even though there have been various different there have been various ways to
name the definition for the forest cover more less remained as the areas with Forests
let be reserved, protected or village.

But on a whole the understanding of the definition there have been a various one
which have been thrown in at a national which will made in accordance with the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change along with their various
Reports.

6
2 Forest Cover in Urban Spaces of India
So, in order to study the various forest covers in urban spaces of Delhi first one need
to look at the situation of the green cover in India. In India the aspects of Forest and
tree cover in a city the % of green cover is the primary and only standard (Forest
Survey of India, 2001-2021)But this is in contrast with the rest of the world and how
this is handled.

But the normal standard which is used internationally is the per capita Green Spaces
were calculated as The World Health Organization recommends the availability of a
minimum of 9 sqm of green space per individual (World Health Orginazation, 2017).
And the minimum required is higher as stated by United Nations (UN) as 15 m2 per
person and by European Union (EU) as 26 m2. UN also States that a city needs at
least 15% of the total tree cover to be 15%. And for the assessment of all the Indian
forest cover the as mentioned by the FSI report is predominantly through the
calculation of % of green cover is the primary and only standard.

This calculated using the data from the Reports from the Forest Survey of India
(Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021) and from the population ion statistics of the
Census of 2001 and 2011 (Census of India, 2011-2011).

Table 2-1: Forest and Tree Cover (2001 To 2011) In Indian Cities

7
 Per Capita Green Spaces (Sq
% Of Total Green Cover
m/Inhabintant)

Change from Change from

2011 2021 2011 to 2011 2021 2011 to
2021 2021*

Ahmedabad 3.94 2.07 -1.88 3.22 1.14 -2.08

Bengaluru 7.19 6.81 -0.38 11.27 7.01 -4.26

Chennai 4.19 5.28 1.09 2.58 2.03 -0.55

Delhi 11.32 12.61** 1.29 10.38 10.59 0.21

Hyderabad 5.23 12.90 7.67 4.93 8.02 3.09

Kolkata 1.35 0.95 -0.40 0.56 0.34 -0.22

Mumbai 23.34 25.41 2.07 5.53 5.36 -0.17

From what can be seen Forest cover in the major cities of the has been in decline
with few real exceptions. (Census of India, 2011-2011) as stated, the World Health
Organization recommends the availability of a minimum of 9 sqm of green space
per individual and major cities except for Delhi which is seem to be the only one
Above the but even this as there are other factors in play with the city.

2.1 Forest Cover on a city Biases

From the Initial study of forest cover through the broad numbers there has been
a decrease in terms of green spaces across the country in terms of the data available
from the government. But the aspects of Urban Development and its effects on the
are kind of even more pronounced when the decrease in the green spaces are
calculated with respect to the Built-up area which is coming up in its
place(Ramachandra et al., 2016):

8
 • Kolkata’s tree cover fell from 23.4% to 7.3% over 20 years; built-up area up
190%. By 2030, vegetation will be 3.37% of Kolkata’s area.
• Ahmedabad’s tree cover fell from 46% to 24% over 20 years; built-up area
up 132%. By 2030, vegetation will be 3% of Ahmedabad’s area.
• Bhopal’s tree cover fell from 66% to 22% over 22 years. By 2018, it will be
11% of city’s area.
• Hyderabad’s tree cover fell from 2.71% to 1.66% over 20 years. By 2024, it
will be 1.84% of city’s area with a sign of improvement.
Even Gandhinagar Which Is Citied Has an Exception(Chaudhry et al., 2011) has
a population of only 2 lakhs in 2001 and 3 lakhs in 2011 and is the exception as said
in many papers studying Urban greenery in Indian cities but in my opinion this not
comparable as due to the comparatively small size of the population.

This clearly shows how there has been an increase in Urban Built up in spaces
of their greens and from what we can see it had happened in all the cities through
these satellite studies.

2.1.1 Delhi

There is an estimated a tree cover 11.9 per cent in New Delhi; which is way less
that the optimal tree cover of 15%. Forest cover in Delhi is mostly due to the Delhi
Ridge.(Ramachandra et al., 2016)

Delhi Ridge which is a ridge in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor in
NCR Delhi. The ridge is divided into 4 separate Zone Namely Norther Ridge, Central
Ridge, South Central Ridge and the southern Ridge and these divisions are for
administrative reasons. And there a Ridge Management Board (RMB) which is
headed by the chief secretary and was formed in 1995 which looks after the
approval of projects in and around the Ridge Area. (Sinha, 2014)

9
 Figure 2-1: Delhi Ridge (Sinha, 2014)

Over the years there have been several cases of the land being encroached
upon for various reasons in which the Supreme court has ordered the removal of
the encroachers. This kind of orders have happened in 1996, 1998, 2006 and 2019.
At the same time there have been statements by the forest department that they
aim to increase 21% green cover up to 25% by 2025. (DDA, 2021)(A. Sarkar et al.,
2016)

But as one examples this happens Delhi Metro’s Aerocity-Tughlaqabad corridor

under phase-IV got approval from Ridge Management Board (RMB) on Jul 15,
2021.And with this around a total of 5.2 km of the corridor will fall under the ridge
and by the estimation of the Delhi metro 1,072 trees will be affected in the project
(Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021).

In case of the City of Delhi the Green Spaces are being affected by the aspects
of Illegal enforcement over the years. But that the same time many cases are present

10
where there have been Planned Urban Development which had the “necessity” for
future development. While this is what is to be seen in a National Context as the
main study of the Area there is much to be said.

2.1.2 Mumbai

Figure 2-2 Mangroves in Mumbai (Times of India, 2021)

There is an estimated a tree cover of 6.20 per cent in Greater Mumbai which is
way less that the optimal tree cover of 15%. One case study in India is with the
Mangrove forests in Mumbai Metropolitan Region which is being classified as a
reserve forest and being integrated into the Urban fabric.

There have been many instances in Mumbai where over the years Mangroves
forests have been removed in the name of development. Recently about 1,450
hectares of mangroves in Mumbai Metropolitan Region which is being classified as
a reserve forest and are to be integrated into the Urban fabric but Studies show that
Mumbai lost nearly 40 percent of its mangroves between 1991 and 2001 about
9,000 acres due to rapid Urbanization. The country's first bullet train which will run
between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, in the western Indian state of Gujarat is
estimated to destroy at least 32,000 mangroves which are clearly being moved

11
always in terms of development.(Everard et al., 2014; L. H. Sarkar, 2017; Shahfahad
et al., 2021; Vijay et al., 2005)

The ratio of green spaces to total area in Mumbai fell from 46.7% in 1988 to
26.67% in 2018, with most significant changes observed during 1988-2018, This is
when around 14% of green spaces had transformed due to Urban development
activities which the reaming land is currently vacant as per the records.(Shahfahad
et al., 2021)

Figure 2-3: Mumbai Forest Areas from 1988 to 2018(Shahfahad et al., 2021)

The conservation of the forest cover here is being seen to be taking a back step
in name of development.

2.1.3 Bangalore

There is an estimated a tree cover of 8.60 per cent in Bangalore which is less
that the optimal tree cover of 15%. Bangalore actually is showing an increased Per
Capita Green Spaces from 2001 to 2011 from 17.32sq m/Inhabitant to 26.79 sq
m/Inhabitant. But this is misleading this as the areas of Bangalore has expanded
including urban areas. (Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021)(Gupta, 2014)

12
 Figure 2-4 Forest
Cover Bangalore
(Times now, 2020)

There seem to be an increase in forest spaces but this is a wrong representation

as this Included new Forest areas into the expanded Boundary. In actuality when
studied only on the older boundary it a different picture with most of the Forest
cover being taken over by urban developments by the government.(Ramachandra
et al., 2017)

Figure 2-5 Built up of Bangalore (Shahfahad et al., 2021)

13
2.2 Inferences

From what can be seen the aspect of Conservation in most of the cities has been
decreasing and at this scale on a city-to-city case this taken a back seat in the name
of Urban Development. Large scale Built up is very obviously visible in terms of the
aspects which are actively responsible for the removal of the Forest cover this may
be due to various reasons such as population increase and among other aspects.
But I assume that only the aspects of Urban Development are visible when looking
at the scale of a city as this is th most apparent but like in cases of the Delhi ridge
there may be also be many an instance of Illegal encroachment which are not
apparent at a larger scale.

Nevertheless, less the Urban fabric of a city needs green spaces not just for
recreational purposes but rather for a heathier environment but from all the studies
and literature it can be seen that the Forest cover in Urban areas of the country is
active in danger due to the rapid development which often overrides the need for
the protection of the Greens.

14
3 Understanding Forest cover Laws: The Acts and Policies effecting
Delhi
Over the years there have been various Acts and policies in India for the
conservation and legality of forests. And India was the first territory in the world to
ever have any laws in terms of Forest and Habitat Conservation with the Charter of
Indian Forestry, 1855 which was the first of, its kind. But over years there have been
various acts and policies which are more or still in act today which contribute to the
aspects on how we define, divide and conserve forest Spaces and other Habitat,
might it be Urban or Rural.(Kothari et al., 1995)

3.1 Acts

3.1.1 Indian Forest Act of 1865:

This was the first official Act after the charter in 1855. This act mainly emphasized
the protection of forests and judicious usage of Timber in the forests. This act was
enacted under The Imperial Forest Department which was setup in 1864 and it was
an attempt by the British to acquire Sovereignty and some control of the Wilderness
of the Country. Along with this act the British Government was empowered to
declare any land covered with trees as a government Forest and to make rules to
manage it.

3.1.2 Indian Forest Act of 1878:

This act replaced the previous act of 1865 and it is more defined than the
previous act. Under this act all the forests were categorized into three parts namely
Reserve, Protected and Village Forests. The aim of the Act was to remove local right
sin the reserve Forests and keep the exclusively as British Government reserves.
Protected Forests were defined as the forest areas where it was not possible to
reduce local use, while Village forests were to be assigned to villagers to fulfil
minimum subsistence needs. The Village Forests were to be created from parts of
Reserve Forests to meet the needs of the Local communities and were to be
managed by these respective communities under the supervision of the Imperial
Forest Department.

15
 Most Importantly it attempted to regulate the collection of the forest produce
by the forest dwellers and tribal population and most traditional activities by these
groups in Reserve and Protected Forests were deemed as Offences and in most
cases imprisonment and fines were levied upon them under this policy in order to
establish the state control over forests. But the colonial government was not much
concerned of these groups as this policy allowed them to impose duties over timber
and it soon became one of the biggest revenue generators for the government.

3.1.3 Indian Forest Act of 1927:

The Indian Forest Act of 1927’s main aim was to regulate the movement of forest
produce, and to levy duty on the forest produce. One of its main goals was to
consolidate the previous forest laws of 1865 and 1878. This was also to give the
government the power to create various classes of forests to seemingly effective
usage for the colonial purpose. This act also introduced the role of the Forest
Settlement Officer who is supposed to be appointed by the state government and
his/her role is to determine the nature of rights and ownership so the people
residing in the forests depending on the type of forest. They also have the power to
acquire land in the forests where the right is claimed.

Also as mentioned this act is a compilation of the previous acts so the concept
of Reserved, Protected and Village forests were revisited from the 1865 act and it
goes as following:

• Reserved Forests: Reserve Forest are the forests with the most restrictions
and are mainly decided by the Presiding government on any pertained
forest/ waste land and these forests were decided to the Property of the
government.
In these forests the local/tribal people are prohibited and until and unless
specifically allowed by the assigned Forest Officer.
• Protected Forests: In this forest the government is given the power to
constitute and control the trees and their economic gains like Timber, fruit
and also any other activities which have any revenue potential. These forests
were emphasized a lot in the given act.

16
 • Village Forest: The Village are the once where the locals have some power
over performing their traditional activities. And it was stated that any
community will have similar rights over Village forests to the government
over any land which were constituted as a reserved forest.

And when it comes to Urban Forest Cover, importantly almost all the Forest
cover under Urban Spaces comes under Reserved forests or sometimes Protected
forests but mostly reserved as most of them do not have any direct economic gain
like timber to qualify as protected forests.

3.1.4 Forest Conservation Act, 1980:

The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was passed by the assess Parliament of India
in order to provide for the conservation of forests and for matters connected
therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.

This Act was mainly constituted in order to keep restrictions on the de

reservation of the forests and to stop the use of forest land in no forest purposes.
This act has given the power to the central government to make the decisions which
are in effect for the conservation of the forests and the act restricts the state
government in performing the Activities like the Provision of non-forest related
activities in any pre-ordained forest lands.

3.1.5 Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994:

The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act was intended to protect Delhi’s trees.
Essentially for the permits for feeling of trees in any cover and by levying fees against
unlawful removal of Tree cover.

The rule specified by the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, “if a private
individual/ company wants to fell tree/trees anywhere in Delhi then it has to be
processed through the Tree Officer, Deputy Conservator of Forests (South/
Central/West) and to Conservator of Forests, Delhi. And Any person who fells a tree
on conviction can be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or
with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or both. However, a forest offence under

17
the said Act can be compounded by paying value of forest produce or
compensation which may extend to Rs. 10,000 or both.

3.2 Policy

3.2.1 Forest Policy of 1894:

The National Forest Policy of 1894 was based on the reports of the Voelcker
Report of 1893 which was focused on the improvement of Indian agriculture. This
policy’s main objective was to maximize Revenue Generation under the State
Control and not the conservation and protection of forests in the Country.

The Policy mentioned the need for the maintenance of adequate forest cover
was recognized for th preservation of the nature of the climate and physical
conditions of the country and for the fulfilment of the people’s needs subject to
following conditions like:

• Permanent cultivation should take more importance than forestry

• The fulfilment of the needs of the local population at non-competitive rated
should override all consideration of revenue
• After the fulfilment of the following conditions the realization of maximum
revenue should be the guiding factor.

Even though the protections of Forests were mentioned it was not emphasized
upon on ground and it was predominantly revenue related in practice. This policy
also classified forests according to their primary functions which is in accordance of
protection, commercial production, minor pastures and finally pasture lands.

3.2.2 Indian Forest Policy, 1952:

On the surface the Indian Forest Policy is an extension of the previous colonial
forest policy but this policy was more concentrated on retaining the forest cover
than the previous concentration on the economic gain.

The National Policy of 1952 has sought to address few of the following needs
such as:

18
 • Improving Land use management and developing it allowing to sustain it
for long periods of time.
• Address the solid erosion and land degradation which was caused due to
the over exploitation by the previous government (of the colonizers)
• Enhance Timber productions for defense, communication and industry and
to maximize annual revenue from forests without exploitation.

This policy also divides the forests into groups depending on a few criteria’s
expanding the Forest Act of 1927 and these are as the following:

• Protected Forests: These are the forests which are to be conserved to

maintain their unique physical and climatic considerations. The policy also
elaborated on the conservation of the forests in sensitive areas like Slopes,
along river valleys and costal lands and how each has to be considered in
accordance of their characters in soil, water and climatic characteristics of
the given locality.
• National Forests: These are the forests that need to be maintained and
managed foe the purposes of defense, communication, industry and many
other matters of public importance.
• Village Forest: The Village forests were also called as fuel forests and their
forests were expected to serve, he main needs of the local communities
which were living in and around forest areas.
• Treelands: This category is not exactly a forest but rather know as trees
outside forests. The Policy says that such Treelands are necessary for the
overall health of the country.

One of the predominantly stated goals of this Policy was to have a third/ thirty-
three percentage of the land cover be under forest cover. The policy at the same
time stresses that even if the forests must be exploited, they must not exceed the
annual growth in any pertaining forests.

The policy for the first-time states about the specialized training of any hired
administration and field staff so that they can performance their duties better.

19
3.2.3 National Forest Policy ,1988:

National Forest Policy, 1988 was established to ensure environmental stability

and maintenance of ecological balance including atmospheric equilibrium which
are vital for sustenance of all life forms, human, animal and plant. The derivation of
direct economic benefit must be subordinate to this principal aim. The basic
objectives of the Forest Policy 1988 are given as the following:

• Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and, where

necessary, restoration of the ecological balance that has been adversely
disturbed by serous depletion of the forests of the country.
• Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the remaining
natural forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represent the
remarkable biological diversity and genetic resources of the country.
• Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment’s areas of rivers,
lakes, reservoirs in the “interest of soil and water conservation, for
mitigating floods and droughts and for the retardation of siltation of
reservoirs.
• Checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and
along the coastal tracts.
• Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the country through massive
afforestation and social forestry programmes, especially on all denuded,
degraded and unproductive lands.
• Meeting the requirements of fuel-wood, fodder, minor forest produce and
small timber of the rural and tribal populations.
• Increasing the productivity of forests to meet essential national needs.
• Encouraging efficient utilization of forest produce and maximizing
substitution of wood.
• Creating a massive people’s movement with the involvement of women, for
achieving these objectives and to minimize pressure on existing forests.

20
3.3 Inferences

From all these documents it can be seen that the aspect of the conservation of
the forests is not distinctive between Urban and Rural spaces and it is
understandable as these laws were made for broad spaces such as forest areas
which often overlap in many areas. And one of the main acts which affects this
aspect is the 1927 Forest act which is still active after almost hundred years which
divides the forests into three main types which are flexible to be reinstated and
redefined at a lower level as it suits ones needs at a state or even a city level as the
Act itself states that the details should be defined in the minutia and this along with
the 1980 conservation act are the main acts which talk about the conservation of the
forest covert in all areas.

And when it comes to Urban Forest Cover, importantly almost all the Forest
cover under Urban Spaces comes under Reserved forests or sometimes Protected
forests but mostly reserved as most of them do not have any direct economic gain
like timber to qualify as protected forests.

But the policies do go into more details in terms of Development where the
1988 National Policy states “Maintenance of environmental stability through
preservation and, where necessary, restoration of the ecological balance that has
been adversely disturbed any aspect” which can be inferred to the advice from the
policy that any Aspect let it be Encroachment or development which takes place in
urban Spaces does needs to be in terms so that the forest area is always preserved.

But the policies are just guidelines which has recommendations whereas the
law which is the act active is pretty much leaving this aspect of defining the aspects
of how a forest in conserved in the hands of the state and lower-level institutions.

21
4 Nomenclature and Parameters for Assessment of Green Cover
As mentioned through the acts and policies along with the various master plan
in Delhi there are many a ways how Forest/Green cover are defined.

4.1 Forest Survey of India _ Forest Classification

The forest cover is broadly classified in 4 classes, namely very dense forest,
moderately dense forest, open forest and mangrove. The classification of the cover
into dense and open forests is based on internationally adopted norms of
classification. It has not been possible to further segregate the dense forest into
more classes owing to enormity of work of ground validation and limitations of
methodology. Mangroves have been separately classified because of their
characteristic tone and texture and unique ecological functions. The other classes
include scrub and non-forest. These classes are defined is below. (Forest Survey of
India, 2001-2021)

Table 4-1: FSI Forest Cover Classifications

Forest Covert Classifications

Very Dense Forest (VDF) Tree density of 70% and above

Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) Tree density of 70% to 40%

Open Forest (OF) Tree density of 40% to 10%

Scrub Tree density of less than 10%

Non- Forest Lands not included in the above

4.2 Master Plan of Delhi Nomenclature

The greens in the Delhi MPD are divided into two parts essentially namely
Recreational and Greenbelt. So, Forest/Green Cover is often shared between both
these parts depending on the Master plan.

22
4.2.1 2001 Master Plan

The 2001 Delhi Master plan includes Forest spaces as a Recreational space and
a public space. This is an exception to what is normally said in the later masterplans
and drafts. (DDA, 1995)

• Recreational: Regional Park, District Park, City Park, Playgrounds, Historical

Monuments and City Forest
• Greenbelt: Nursery and Greenbelt

4.2.2 2021 Master Plan

The 2021 Delhi Master plan considers forest cover as the Greenbelt space but
it is not directly mentioned in the nomenclature. But rather is mentioned in writing
in the Master Plan. But also, there is mention of Nurseries and Forest in terms of
Recreational. But in both senses, it is not fully stated. (DDA, 2007)

• Recreational: Regional Park, District Park, City Park, Playgrounds, Historical

Monuments
• Greenbelt: Nursery and Greenbelt

4.2.3 2041 Draft Master Plan

The following is from the 2041 Draft Master Plan which carries on the
classifications of Forests from 2021 Master Plan. But there is a huge addition to the
Green best classification with the addition of Lower Density Residential Areas
(L.D.R.A.). (DDA, 2021)

• Recreational: Regional Park, District Park, City Park, Playgrounds,

Archeological Park
• Greenbelt: Greenbelt, L.D.R.A Villages

4.3 Parameters To Calculate Green Spaces in Urban Areas

For the following there are to analyze and asses the Urban Green Spaces in
terms of few Tangibles and In Tangible parameters from the available terms and
standards. (Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021) (UN, 2010) (World Health
Orginazation, 2017)

23
4.3.1 Tangible Parameters:

• Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person)

• % Change in total green space area
• Land use changes w.r.t to the green spaces decrease/ Increased

4.3.2 Intangible Parameters:

• Assessing the Accessibility, Safeness and Functionality of Green Spaces

through Questionnaires and Distance from the greens.

24
 5 Analyzing The Forest/Green Cover of Delhi
The Analysis of the green spaces in Delhi from various aspects from the Satellite
mapping of the City through Land Use Land Cover Data which were release from
Bhuvan, ISRO alongside the data release by the FSI Report till 2021. In order to see
how they compare and contrast during the same time. The main parameters in
which the following data will be delineated will be in terms of the Forest density as
mentioned before in FSI.

5.1 Land Use/Land Cover Data and Analysis

Land Use/Land Cover data refers to the categorization or classification of human

activities and natural elements on the landscape within a specific time frame based
on established scientific and statistical methods of analysis of appropriate source
materials. And the following data is satellite images of Delhi across the years. (Jain,
2016) (ISRO, 2009) . This covers the data for the city from various years.

Table 5-1: LULC Delhi Forest/Green cover Data 1977,1993,2006,2014

Area (Km2) Area (%)

1977 1993 2006 2014 1977 1993 2006 2014

Dense
Forests (VDF and 149.84 164.83 55.49 71.1 10.1 11.11 3.74 4.79
MDF)

Open Forests 107.11 110.77 99.51 112.52 7.22 7.47 6.71 7.59

Total Main
256.95 275.6 155 183.62 17.32 18.58 10.45 12.38
Greens

Scrubs/Degra
235.74 222.52 269.61 210.58 15.9 15 18.18 14.2
ded Forests

25
Figure 5-1 : LULC Maps OF Delhi 1977,1993,2006,2014 (ISRO, 2009)

26
 Table 5-2: LULC Delhi Data

1977 1993 2006 2014

Land-Use/Land
Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area
Cover categories
(Km2) (%) (Km2) (%) (Km2) (%) (Km2) (%)

149.84 10.10 164.83 11.11 55.49 3.74 71.1 4.79

Dense Forest

Open Forest 107.11 7.22 110.77 7.47 99.51 6.71 112.52 7.59

Scrub/Degraded
235.74 15.90 222.52 15.00 269.61 18.18 210.58 14.20
Forest

73.89 4.98 38.24 2.58 40 2.70 63.45 4.28

Plantations

Cultivable Area 662.35 44.66 379.85 25.61 263.79 17.79 324.92 21.91

Built up Area 113.77 7.67 344.99 23.26 540.49 36.44 567.64 38.28

43.42 2.93 38.72 2.61 57.18 3.86 79.17 5.34

Road/rail network

26.69 1.80 20.36 1.37 24.61 1.66 24.38 1.64

River/waterbody

70.22 4.73 162.75 10.97 132.35 8.92 29.27 1.97

Waste Land

Total 1483.03 1483.03 1483.03 1483.03

27
 Table 5-3: Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person) Over the years (LULC)

1977 1993 2006 2014

Green Spaces per Capita

52.82 25.16 7.77 7.33
(m2/person)

Figure 5-2: Built up Spaces Vs Total Green Cover

While looking at the various B U I LT U P S PAC E S

DENSE VS OPEN V S TOTA L G R E E N
data in terms of the
FORESTS C OV E R
Forest/Green cover these
Dense Forests Open Forests
Total Main Greens
180 spaces over the have
Built Up Area
160 decreased. In terms of the
600
140 parameter of Green Spaces
500
120 per capita it is far below the
100 400
United Nations (UN)
80 300
Standard of 15 m2 per
60
person. This change at the 200
40
20 same sees the increase in 100

0 the built-up area in spaces 0

1977 1993 2006 2014 1977 1993 2006 2014
of these forest/green cover.

Figure 5-3: Dense Vs Open Forests

5.2 Forest Department and Forest Survey Data Analysis

Table 5-4: FSI Report Delhi Forest/Green cover Data (Forest Survey of India, 2001-2021)

Area (Km2) %
2011 2021 2011 2021

VDF 6.82 6.74 0.44 0.44

MDF 49.53 56.34 3.21 3.66

OF and
118.65 131.60 7.70 8.54
Scrub

Total 11.36% 12.64%

28
Figure 5-4: Forest cover Map of Delhi (FSI Report)

29
 Unlike the LULC Data the Forest Survey data shows an increase in terms of its
green cover in terms of both the parameters of % of Total Green Cover and Per
Capita Green Spaces (Sq m/Inhabitant).

Table 5-5: Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person) and % of Total Green Cover (FSI)

% Of Total Green Cover Per Capita Green Spaces (Sq m/Inhabintant)

Change from Change from
2011 2021 2011 2021
2011 to 2021 2011 to 2021*
11.32 12.61 1.29 10.38 10.59 0.21

But this data is clearly shown in a different light where it is showing more forests
than they are on paper through definitional changes. with the fact that scrubs and
open Forest area names Areas with Tree density of areas which are less sparce with
tree density to be considered as forests. So, the Open Forest and Scrub areas have
been included in forests area which led to spaces have less than 10% of area with
trees being called forests. This discrepancy in the definition of the reports and the
on-ground data shows in the Forest survey report. This data has been criticized by
various critics for how the parameters of the report were changed in order to reflect
better in terms of Data but on ground.

These kinds of Areas include Farmhouse spaces, spaces dense terrain and basic
shrubs which results in the data reflecting an increase in terms of the total green
cover and its parameters. Thus, seeing on the various forest reports misrepresent
the actual coverage of forests in the city. In which the defined forester cover is high
in the reports while being way below par on ground.

30
6 Case Study: Zone J
Planning Zone-J located in the South Delhi, is bounded by Mehrauli Badarpur
road in the North, National Highway No.8 in the West, and National Capital Territory
of Delhi boundary in the South and East.

The total area of the zone as per MPD-2021 is about 15,178 Ha., out of which
around 6,200 Ha. comprises of the ‘Regional Park’/ ‘Ridge’. There are 30
villages/census towns falling in the zone.27 census towns and 3 villages falling in
the zone as per zonal document.

6.1 Zonal Context

Zone J bound by NH-8 on West provides a gateway to Delhi from Haryana,

Rajasthan and also acts as main access to the Airport person. This. Along the
southern boundary of NCTD a green buffer in the form of Southern part of Reg. Park
is proposed. In addition to above following landmarks can be noted Asola Bird
Sanctuary, Tughlaqabad Shooting Range, Sultan Garhi Tomb, Adilabad Fort and
Chattarpur Mandir

Figure 6-1: Zone J Zonal Context Map (Google Earth, 2022)

This zone contains several historically important and ecologically significant sites.

31
6.1.1 Zonal and Master Plan over years

In 1962 Master Plan, there is no mention of Zone J as it became an urban

extension of Delhi only in the master plan of 2001. In 2001 Master Plan, there was
made some land use distribution of the area including recreational and agricultural
area but there was not as much consideration or planning Ober the zone in that
context. While, in 2021 Master Plan of Delhi, the whole area considered under zone
J was detailed out only with Urbanisable area without any further land use
distribution.

Figure 6-2: Zone J Master and Zonal Plans

2021 Master plan also allocated for the Zonal plan of Zone J. The vision of the
zone and its plan was is to develop it as an inclusive and integrated zone with special
emphasis on conservation of the Regional Park and heritage areas. As the Zone
contain Major green space and forest corridors of the city. (DDA, 2008)

32
 Figure 6-3: Zone J Master Plan 2041

6.1.2 Reason for Case Study region

All the major greens are present in Zone J. Along with Unauthorized colonies
affecting these green spaces. 6200 Ha of the 6210 Ha in the southern ridge is
present in Zone J. And the Greenbelt is 410 Ha along with the 300HA part of Asola
Wildlife Sanctuary which is present in the zone.

Table 6-1: Zone J Distribution

Figure 6-4 Delhi Ridge Spaces

Total area of Zone J 15,178 HA
Delhi Ridge Spaces
Regional Park 6200HA 1%
Norther Ridge
11%
Green Belt 410HA
Central Ridge 8%

Asola Bird Sanctuary 300HA South Central

Ridge
80%
Souther Ridge
Urbanization area 8268HA

Almost 80% of all the ridge spaces in Delhi are in the Southern Ridge which is almost
all Located in Zone J. With lead to most of Forest/Green cover of the city making it
a prime

33
6.1.3 Land Suitability and existing settlements of the Zone J

Figure 6-5: Land Suitability Map Zone J

The following is a land Suitability analysis as done by the Ecological aspect

report in 2013 which considered the aspects of green cover, water level among
others. It can be clearly seen that the regional park area and the Asola park lies is
the least suitable area that is available for construction and kind of construction
development should be restricted. Most of the built lies in the suitable land in the
centre of the area. (SPA Delhi, 2013)

34
 Figure
6-6:
Zone J
Settle
Meents

By mapping the existing settlements in the google satellite maps it can be seen
that the existing settlements in Zone J are already in areas which were deemed to
be few of least suitable for development. And these settlements are also
encroaching upon the Regional Park area of the city which is a major green space.
And recently in Feb of 2022 approved at the same time these spaces were declared
to be reserved forests. (L.D.R.A Study, 2018)

6.2 Accessibility of the greens Survey

So, with so much Green/Forest cover the accessibility of these spaces is one of
the in tangible parameters and for that a sample size of around 500+ User Survey
has been conducted.

35
 Figure 6-7: Green Usability and Accessorily Data

From the user survey it can be seen that

most of the users are close to a green space
and Majority of these citizens see the of the see
themselves the need for them almost no one
uses these green spaces daily in this
accordance which shows the desire to use the
green spaces while the reposes also show that
they seem inaccessible to the citizens.

6.3 Zone J Settlement Typology

Figure 6-8: Zone J Settlement

Typology

36
 Table 6-2: Zone J Settlement Typology Data

Area in Ha Area in %
Village Abadi 828 12%
Group House 125 2%
Plotted House 1401 18%
Unauthorized farmhouses 1580 22%
LDR plots (Farm house plots) 3291 46%
7225 100%

Maximum area - Farmhouses with total 68% consisting 22% of unauthorized

colonies. In unauthorized considered only Sainik farms and farmhouses in regional
park (data not available). Least area is covered by group house with only 2%. The
Village areas is around 25% and consists high density settlements.

6.4 Regional Park and Built up

The existing farm houses in urban extension regularized as per Policy and new
Low Density Residential Plots to be permitted in the green belt and in Low Density
Residential Area in the Urban Extension. And many LDRA Spaces were seen to be
present in unauthorized areas or in the Regional Park Area. These are part of the
built-up spaces which have seen in the LULC Maps at a city level and are still part of
the regional park.

37
 Figure 6-9: Built up in Regional Park 2003-2020

Variation showing the emergence of farm houses from 2003 to present day
There is a significant rise in the number of farmhouses settlements. As of 2021
Master plan revision in 2017 these farmhouses were allowed in the greenbelt
spaces and approved. 2041 Master Plan Draft notifies them as green spaces and
not residential which when active will on documents be seen as a green cover area
on par with the Greenbelt. And these are part of the spaces which have been
declared as reserve Forests in February 2022 which throws the situation into limbo.

6.5 Declaring the Forest/Green Cover as reserved

During this time where these various land uses have been bought into being
called green these spaces are further being designated into Reserved Forests under
the 1927 Forest Act. And the majority of Zone J is about to be declared as reserved
forests by the Delhi Ridge board with about 4248.8 Ha of the 6210Ha in the
Southern Ridge to be declared as reserved Forests at first…termed Phase 1. The
spaces where the Areas are to be reserved Forests are not specified.

And 424.7 Ha of area to be notified in Phase 2 which is a about 73% of the

Southern Ridge. But as mentioned in the 1927 Act Reserve Forest are the forests
with the most restrictions and are mainly decided by the Presiding government on
any pertained forest/ waste land and these forests were decided to the Property of

38
the government. As of March of 2022, the Phase 1 of this initiative has been mostly
accomplished which makes these spaces as reserved forests. Though on ground it
can be seen that these spaces are mostly covered with built up 1580Ha of land in
the Southern Ridge being Unauthorized Farmhouses. But the 2041 Master Plan
Draft notifies them as green spaces and not residential which makes it more
complicated.

6.6 Gap in the Greens Cover

Figure 6-10: Delhi Ridge Spaces

Table 6-3: Delhi Ridge Spaces Table

Area (Ha)
Norther Ridge 87
Central Ridge 864
South Central Ridge 626
Southern Ridge 6200
Total 7777

The total Southern Ridge Area is Supposed to be Declared as Reserved forests

and as of As of March of 2022 they have been. But just in the Southern Ridge which
is to be declared so there has been approximately 1239 HAs of Plan which has been
covered from the on ground Built up/Farmhouses.

This is 20% of all the southern Ridge and a huge chunk of that is now LDRA
Spaces along with other Built up. This is a huge gap in what it actually shows it to
be.

6.7 Metro Project

Delhi Metro’s Aerocity-Tughlaqabad corridor under phase-IV is getting

developed this around a total of 5.2 km of the corridor will fall under the ridge and
by the estimation of the Delhi metro 1,072 trees will be affected in the project part
of which is present in Zone This is one of the 10 projects which were reported to be
approved by the Delhi Ridge board in and near the regional park, The construction
is on way and the area of the ridge in Zone J is starting construction as of now.

39
 Figure 6-11: Silver Line Metro
Google Map (DMR)

This has been approved at the same time these spaces were declared to be
reserved forests which conflicts with this development.

Figure 6-12: Delhi Silver and Ridge Spaces Map (Times of India, 2021)

40
 Table 6-4: Trees removed for Siler Line Metro

Type of Ridge Total Area Required (sqm) No. of Trees

Southern Ridge 35240 466
South Central Ridge 38966 455
Other Ridges 55548 151
Total 129754 1072
This has been approved at the same time these spaces were declared to be
reserved forests which conflicts with this development.

41
7 Implication of the Study and the Assessment

7.1.1 City Level

While analyzing and collecting the Data from LULC Maps in terms of the
Forest/Green cover these spaces over the have decreased. From the past year
which is expected but it decreased to about 7.33 Green Spaces per Capita
(m2/person) which in terms of the parameter of Green Spaces per capita it is far
below the United Nations (UN) Standard of 15 m2 per person. There has also been
an exponential increase in Built up space in development which have replaced there
Urban foresee spaces and green cover

Unlike the LULC Data the Forest Survey data shows an increase in terms of its
green cover in terms of both the parameters of % of Total Green Cover and Per
Capita Green Spaces (Sq m/Inhabitant).

But this data can be said to shown in a better light with the fact that scrubs and
open Forest area names Areas with Tree density of areas which are less sparce with
tree density to be considered as forests.

These kinds of Areas include Farmhouse spaces, spaces dense terrain and basic
shrubs which results in the data reflecting an increase in terms of the total green
cover and its parameters. This data has been criticized by various critics for how the
parameters of the report ewer changed in order to reflect better in terms of Data
but on ground.

7.1.2 Zone J Level

Many of the settlements Of Zone J encroaching upon the Regional Park area of
the city which is a major green space. Majority of them are in terms of Farmhouse
which are unregulated as of 2021 master plan but the draft plan of 2041 proposes
them as green spaces and not residential.

These areas have developed over the years and are in many cases unauthorized
in nature. And they have completely changed the forest pattern of the space. From
the user survey it can be seen that most of the users are close to a green space and

42
Majority of these citizens see the of the see show the desire to use the green spaces
while the reposes also show that they seem inaccessible to the citizens.

This is one of the 10 projects which were reported to be approved by the Delhi
Ridge board in and near the regional park. And recently in Feb of 2022 approved
at the same time these spaces were declared to be reserved forests which throws
this into a paradox where the forest spaces are sparce and already have a different
built up to them which being counted as green cover.

43
8 Assessments and Proposals
The Following will be the list of the condensed Issues and their contexts in cried
almond side the Context and the proposals

8.1 Acts and Definitional Problems with Defining Green cover and its
conservation

Context:

The main Acts which cover the Forest or any Green cover. And these are the
Indian Forest Act of 1927 and Forest Conservation Act 1980. In these acts
forest/Green Cover is defined as a forest space with no further context. And in this
the they mainly divided 3 parts after it is decided that the forest cover comes into
Protection Namely:

• Reserved Forests: Reserve Forest are the forests with the most restrictions
and are mainly decided by the Presiding government on any pertained
forest/ waste land and these forests were decided to the Property of the
government.
• Protected Forest: In this forest the government is given the power to
constitute and control the trees and their economic gains.
• Village Forest: The conservation act also does state that any reserved forest
shall cease to be reserved and that any forest land or any portion thereof
may be used for any non-forest purpose

This Ignores Forest spaces which are yet to in any of these categories. And leave
the decision to be with the State Government or Specific Boards. This also is very
vague in definition as what forest cover means is not defined. Leaving it to the FSI
to decide on that. This is also left for each of plans and the state boards to decide
on their own set of definition of can be constituted as Forest/Green Cover before it
becomes a reserved, protected/Village Forest.

Proposal:

Amend or change the exiting acts to accommodate a category for green cover
which will in turn need to include a stricter structure on what forest cover means.

44
Adapt a set of requirements of what it is to be Forest cover at a national level to
define them without each State/ board having its own definitions.

8.2 Decrease in Green Cover in Urban Spaces in terms of the Green Spaces
per Capita. The Indian Standard uses % of greens in an Area

Context:

FSI uses these main terminologies for Forest cover and in may a contest FSI have
recently started using Open Forest and Scrub as Forest places which grandly
misrepresents the actual forest covered present.

Proposal:

Not Consider Spaces to forest cover such as Scrubs or maybe even reconsider
Open forests in this. This will also need a reform the acts which govern it.

8.3 Exponential increase in Built up space in development which have

replaced there Urban foresee spaces and green cover

Context:

Across the Country it can be clearly seen that the green cover is being replaced
by various kinds of built over the years. It is apparent in the city of Bangalore and
Delhi in which over the years this has been the case. This is exponentials and almost
always fully consumes the greens of a space.

Proposal/Suggestions:

Encourage more densely placed development in cities which restricting the

usage of the green cover in terms of what aspects are allowed to replace it.
Reconsider the Destiny of trees which are too considered in order to declare a forest
space with only the Dense and Moderately Dense forests being Considered mainly
while also accommodating the scrubs and Open forests which not counting them
as fully forests.

8.4 FSI and its inconsistent use of Forest cover and its definition.

Context:

45
 FSI uses these main terminologies for Forest cover and in may a contest FSI have
recently started using Open Forest and Scrub as Forest places which grandly
misrepresents the actual forest covered present.

Forest Covert Classifications

Very Dense Forest (VDF) Tree density of 70% and above

Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) Tree density of 70% to 40%

Open Forest (OF) Tree density of 40% to 10%

Scrub Tree density of less than 10%

Non- Forest Lands not included in the above

Proposal/Suggestions:

Not Consider Spaces to forest cover such as Scrubs or maybe even reconsider
Open forests in this.

This will also need a reform the acts which govern it.

8.5 Reality of Green Cover contradicting what existing on ground in Delhi

Context:

According to LULC Data the Green Spaces per Capita (m2/person) has been
decreasing over the years. While analyzing and collecting the Data from LULC Maps
in terms of the Forest/Green cover these spaces over the have decreased. From the
past year which is expected but it decreased to about 7.33 Green Spaces per Capita
(m2/person) which in terms of the parameter of Green Spaces per capita it is far
below the United Nations (UN) Standard of 15 m2 per person.

But the FSI data shows a different picture with the fact that scrubs and open
Forest area names Areas with Tree density of areas which are less sparce with tree
density to be considered as forests.

46
 These kinds of Areas include Farmhouse spaces, spaces dense terrain and basic
shrubs which results in the data reflecting an increase in terms of the total green
cover and its parameters. This brings us to Zone J. 20% of all the southern Ridge
and a huge chunk of that is now LDRA Spaces along with other Built up. This is a
huge gap in what it actually shows it to be as this built is considered Greens.

Proposal/Suggestions:

Encourage more densely placed development in cities which restricting the

usage of the green cover in terms of what aspects are allowed to replace it.
Reconsider the Destiny of trees which are too considered in order to declare a forest
space with only the Dense and Moderately Dense forests being Considered mainly
while also accommodating the scrubs and Open forests which not counting them
as fully forests.

8.6 User Survey shows inaccessibleness of Green Cover in Delhi and Zone J

Context:

From the user survey it can be seen that most of the users are close to a green
space and Majority of these citizens see the of the see show the desire to use the
green spaces while the reposes also show that they seem inaccessible to the
citizens.

Proposals/Suggestions:

Integrate the green more in line with the surrounding population while
preserving them. This can be through the development of new plans in terms of
green cover (Special plans are in preparation at the DDA for the Regional Park and
the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary) with a few recreational spots instead built up while
preserving most of the green cover.

8.7 LDRA Spaces being considered Greens cover or Green Cover Adjacent
in Delhi over the Master Plans and Some of these spaces being declared
as reserved forests.

Context:

47
 LDRA/ Lower density Residential Areas have been slowly over a period of time
have been considered green spaces and while being residential spaces with their
own use. These are mostly farmhouse.

This has many issues while misrepresenting the data of showing the southern
ridge as fully a green recreational while it is laid out from built up. This also
encourages misdemeanors in with these aspects.

While this space is being declared as reserved forest now even though there is
a built up of LDRA Space in these villages. As of 2021 Master plan revision in 2017
these farmhouses were allowed in the greenbelt spaces and approved.2041 Master
Plan Draft notifies them as green spaces and not residential which when active will
on documents be seen as a green cover area on par with the Greenbelt.

And many LDRA Spaces were seen to be present in unauthorized areas or in the
Regional Park Area. These are part of the built-up spaces which have seen in the
LULC Maps at a city level but declared as reserved forest. The majority of Zone J is
about to be declared as reserved forests by the Delhi Ridge board with about
4248.8 Ha of the 6210Ha in the Southern Ridge to be declared as reserved Forests
at first…termed Phase 1. The spaces where the Areas are to be reserved Forests are
not specified while only mentioning the Villages from the Southern Ridge Space.

Proposals:

• Recovered the situation and categorize the farmhouses in accordance to their

use unlike the preset situation

• Relocate or remove the many Has of Encroached spaces in Zone J ion order to
maintain the regional park area while also aligning with the changes to the
greens to become Recovered Forest spaces.

• Remove LDRA Spaces as green cover.

• Reconsider and remove these spaces as Reserved Forest spaces as it was

declared before.

48
• For future Development consider the green spaces as un negotiable in terms
of development which completely replaces it and degrades the spaces
replacing it.

49
9 Appendix
9.1 Timeline of LDRA (Lower Density Residential Areas)

9.1.1 (1954) Delhi Reforms Act

Even though the Term Farmhouse/LDRA are not mentioned. This was one of the
first instance where residential dwelling units in farming areas are mentioned.

9.1.2 1962Master Planform House

Use Premise: Permitted in A1(Agricultural Green Belt), M4(Light industry and

service industry) and in Special cases in Rural Use Zone with permission of the
Authority.

• F.A.R. (not specifically for farm houses but A1 on whole):

• 1 acre to 3 acres (0.4 ha to 1.2 ha) _ Max F.A.R: 500 sq.
• 3 acres and above (1.2 ha and above) _ Max F.A.R: 1500 sq.
• Area: Minimum 1 acre(0.4Ha)

9.1.3 (1990) Master Plan 2021_Farm House

Use Premise: Permitted in Agricultural Use Zone as one the 136 Use premises

Area:

• 1ha to 2ha _ Max FAR:100 sq. (including Mezzanine floor)

• 2.0 ha and above _ Max FAR:150 sq. (including Mezzanine floor)

Height: Single Storey with Max Height of 6m

Notes:

• Setback in dwelling house should be 15m away from any boundary line of
the property.
• Where the property abuts to urban road and Village Road, the dwelling
house building should be setback from the centre line of that road by 60m
and 30 m Respectively.
• No dwelling units should be built within 400m of the right of way of any
National Highway.

50
 • Watch & Ward Residence (Up to 20 sq.)

9.1.4 (1995) Janak Juneja Committee

Appointed by Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for

looking into various issues relating to Sainik Farms. Sainik Farms was started in the
late 60s as a co-operative society for rehabilitation of war-widows and retired
defense personnel. With Government support, land was purchased by the society
and allotted to the defense personnel for having farm houses. Over time, the area
commonly called as Sainik farms has attracted many nondefense personnel also.

There are hardly farm houses in the colony and in fact on many plots large
houses and villas can be seen. The situation of this colony has further been
complicated by the issue of notices for acquisition of land. None of these colonies
have ""Residential"" as the approved land use in the Master Plan 2001/Zonal
Development Plans.

The Residents of Sainik Farms or farm houses have carried out development
works on their own, such as roads, provision of electricity and water, these areas
should not be touched and not incorporated in the overall plans for future
development of Delhi."

9.1.5 (1998) Malhotra Committee

In 1998 Govt. of Delhi formed the Malhotra committee to survey the farmhouses
in Delhi; it was found that 75% of the farmhouses in Delhi are beyond the
permissible FAR as per 1962 masterplan.

And on the basis of the recommendations of Malhotra Committee, farms of 2.5

acres and above were allowed to construct a dwelling house up to 200 sq.mt. under
the rules of the MCD.A Gazette Notification issued by the Ministry of Urban
Development on 23.7.1998 allowed farmhouses of 2.5 acres of covered area of 500
sq.mt. to be regularized upon payment of penalty but These orders were withdrawn
by the Ministry of Urban Development on 7.6.2000.

9.1.6 2007_2021 Master Plan

Use Premise: Given and Permitted in Residential Use Zone.

51
 Same provisions as 2001 Master Plan (Original provisions).

9.1.7 (2013) Drablow Density Residential Area

In May of 2013 MPD 2021 was officially revised and LDRA was added to it with
new regulations and abandoning the older regulations of 2021 Farmhouses.

LDRA here was defined as residential settlements and existing low density
residential areas and those areas where further development to higher densities is
not appropriate due to existing character, environmental, landscape or
infrastructure constraints.

The reasons given the provisions of LDRA is to decrease the usage of water in
the area compared to more dense use premises.

In June of 2013 the Villages which are falling in this use premises have been
stated. Here it is stated that in places of TOD. TOD will be prioritized over Darland
also that Farmhouses will be allowed in the greenbelt of the city.

From Dec 2013 to Feb 2014 the Cost for Increasing F.A.R. (from 20 to 30) has
been decreased from 97.2 Lakhs to 75 Lakhs (on a plot of minimum area).

9.1.8 (2019)

While the Delhi high court said farmhouses can’t operate as banquet halls, citing
the provisions of the Delhi Master Plan 2021, the civic agencies on Tuesday
maintained that farmhouses can host weddings and other events.

As per the master plan, banquet halls are “permissible in industrial and
commercial areas, including notified commercial streets under the Mixed-Use
Regulations”. But by January 2019 the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC)
officials have made a policy named “Policy for holding Social Functions in
Hotels/Motels and Low-Density Residential Area (LDRA)”.

Here it is stated how they have to notify, take permission of the SDMC and pay
a notified whenever a Function is held in a Drenthe Supreme Court on August
19,2019 directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi to be present before it on August 23

52
and apprise it of the policy on holding social functions and marriages in hotels, farm
houses and low-density residential area in New Delhi.

DDA and the Chief Secretary of Delhi apprised it on August 23,2019 and have
added that they changed the policy that the owners of motels, hotels and
farmhouses should make sufficient arrangement for water supply for the function."

9.1.9 (2020)

2041 Master Plan Draft notifies them as green spaces with the same provisions
given in the 2021 Master Plan

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Jasjeev Gandhiok (December 2020);

Down to Earth? Houses built on forest land may soon be razed;
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/down-to-earth-houses-built-on-
forest-land-may-soon-be-razed/articleshow/79686084.cms

Jasjeev Gandhiok (July 2021);

70% of Delhi’s Southern Ridge to be a ‘forest’
The Times of India

56
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/70-of-southern-ridge-to-be-a-
forest/articleshow/84623590.cms

Down to Earth (May 1997);

Delhi ridge: A lifeline in danger
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/delhi-ridge-a-lifeline-in-danger-23699

Shivani Singh (September 2013);

Land rush spoils Delhi’s enviable green records
The Hindustan Times
https://web.archive.org/web/20130910090229/http:/www.hindustantimes.com/In
dia-news/NewDelhi/Land-rush-spoils-Delhi-s-enviable-green-records/Article1-
1119612.aspx

Press Trust of India (May 2019);

No encroachment on forest land in Southern Ridge: Delhi govt to NGT;
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/no-encroachment-on-forest-land-in-
southern-ridge-delhi-govt-to-ngt/story-txXXBiNa25aCJQMPjFSEqL.html

HT Correspondent (December 2019);

Air pollution: HC orders removal of encroachments in Delhi ridge, dart shots from
chopper to plant seeds;
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/air-pollution-hc-orders-removal-of-
encroachments-in-delhi-ridge-dart-shots-from-chopper-to-plant-seeds/story-
Vz524ynD0aKbqDpS9pF6JN.html

Soumya Pillai (July 2021);

Delhi Metro’s Tughlakabad-Aerocity line gets Ridge board approval;
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/delhi-ridge-board-gives-go-ahead-
to-metro-s-tughlakabad-aerocity-corridor-101626285302718.html

57
Financial Express (March 2019);
Delhi Central Ridge to be revived with native tree species to improve air quality
and groundwater;
Financial Express
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/delhi-central-ridge-to-be-
revived-with-native-tree-species-to-improve-air-quality-and-
groundwater/2206984/

The Times of India (October 2015);

Stop forest encroachment, says Delhi high court;
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/stop-forest-
encroachment-says-high-court/articleshow/49474089.cms

Badri Chatterjee (June 2017);

74 cases of mangrove destruction on Mumbai’s private land in 4 months;
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/74-cases-of-mangrove-
destruction-on-mumbai-s-private-land-in-4-months/story-
YuXeRx5cTczXM0PPkkz3jN.html

Manoj Nair (August 2019);

Mumbai has a long way to go in protecting mangrove forests;
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-has-a-long-way-to-go-in-
protecting-mangrove-forests/story-9evRjMAF8uVM6DjDXtbSoL.html

Times now News (July 2021);

World Mangrove Day: 1,450 hectares of mangroves to be converted into reserved
forest in MMR;
https://www.timesnownews.com/mumbai/article/world-mangrove-day-1450-
hectares-of-mangroves-to-be-converted-into-reserved-forest-in-mmr/790522

Badri Chatterjee (June 2019);

32K mangroves to be razed for bullet train, NHSRCL confirms;
58
The Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/32k-mangroves-to-be-razed-for-bullet-
train-nhsrcl-confirms/story-FLUWtnYITKrcghylzIXyuL.html

Sushmita Pathak (November 2019);

Mangroves Help Fight The Effects Of Climate Change. So Why Is Mumbai
Destroying Them?;
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/11/25/781990792/mangroves-
help-fight-the-effects-of-climate-change-so-why-is-mumbai-destroying-t

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