Forest Department
Forest & Tree Cover of Delhi as Per India Sfr - 2015:
Para 4.1 of the National Forest Policy, 1988 provides that a minimum of 1-3rd of the total land area of the country should be under forest or tree cover.In the hills and in mountainous regions, the aim should be to maintain 2-3rd of the area under such cover in order to prevent erosion and land degradation and to ensure stability of the fragile eco-system. Taking the above strategy in view, the Govt. of NCT of Delhi is making all endeavors to meet the national goal as set by the Central Govt. and is constantly adding to the Green Cover of the State which is reflected the change in Forest and Tree Cover given below:
| S.No | State of Forest Report | Forest/ Tree Cover (in sq. km.) | Percentage of Geographic Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993 | 22 | 1.48 |
| 2 | 1995 | 26 | 1.75 |
| 3 | 1997 | 26 | 1.75 |
| 4 | 1999 | 88 | 5.93 |
| 5 | 2001 | 151 | 10.2 |
| 6 | 2003 | 268 | 18.07 |
| 7 | 2005 | 283 | 19.09 |
| 8 | 2009 | 299.58 | 20.20 |
| 9 | 2011 | 296.20 | 19.97 |
| 10 | 2013 | 297.81 | 20.08 |
| 11 | 2015 | 299.77 | 20.22 |
Source: Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, G.O.I.
As per the India State of Forest Report (SFR)-2015, the total Forest and Tree Cover of NCT of Delhi is 299.77 sq. km. (20.22%) as against 297.81 sq. km. (20.08%) reported in SFR-2015. This is made up of 111 sq. kms. of tree cover and 188.77 sq. kms. of forest cover making a total of 299.77 sq. kms. Thus there is an increase of Green Cover of Delhi from 20.08% to 20.22% which works out to 0.14% of the geographic area.
| Category | SFR -2011 (area in sq. km./% of geographic area) | SFR-2013 (area in sq. km./% of geographic area) | India SFR – 2015 (area in sq. km./% of geographic area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree Cover Forest Cover | 120 (8.09%) 176.20 (11.88%) |
118 ( 7.9%) 179.81 (12.12%) |
111 (7.5%) 188.77 (12.73%) |
| 296.20 ( 19.97%) | 297.81 (20.08%) | 299.77 (20.22%) |
The extent of division-wise and district-wise forest cover of Delhi as per the India State of Forest Report, 2015 is as under:
| Forest Division | Revenue District | Geo. Area(in Sq. Km.) | Forest Cover (in Sq. Km.) | % of Geo. Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Forest Division | Central Delhi | 25 | 5.14 | 20.56 |
| New Delhi | 35 | 17.25 | 49.29 | |
| South Delhi | 250 | 82.14 | 32.86 | |
| North Forest Division | East Delhi | 64 | 3.28 | 5.13 |
| North-East Delhi | 60 | 3.97 | 6.62 | |
| North Delhi | 59 | 4.53 | 7.68 | |
| West Forest Division | North-West Delhi | 440 | 17.04 | 3.87 |
| South-West Delhi | 421 | 48.60 | 11.54 | |
| West Delhi | 129 | 6.82 | 5.29 | |
| Total | 1,483 | 178.77 | 12.73 |
Despite several infrastructural projects and large scale construction taking place in Delhi, the Forest and Tree Cover of Delhi has been increasing on a sustained basis from 22 Sq. Km. (1.48%) in 1993 to 299.77 Sq. Km. (20.22%) in 2015. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has also complemented Delhi on its rising green cover over the years.