Locals in south-west Delhi have launched a campaign to protect a self-grown woodland known as Dwarka Forest after a portion of the land was earmarked for commercial and residential development. The campaigners say the 120 acre patch, which has grown on disused land over decades, supports extensive biodiversity and provides a vital green buffer near Delhi Airport.
A recent survey of the area estimates the patch contains roughly 25,000 trees, more than 65 species of birds and about 50 nilgai. The site also shelters rabbits and small wild cats. At roughly the size of 70 to 80 football fields, the forest lies close to the Sahibi River and forms an important stopover for migratory birds en route to Najafgarh Lake.
Official records list a larger 272 acre parcel as railway land. Portions of this land were acquired decades ago by the city development authority and later transferred to the authority responsible for railway projects. While some railway infrastructure may require land for tracks or stations, campaigners say approximately 120 acres of the parcel have been designated for non essential commercial and residential construction that could be relocated without felling the trees.
Local residents and environmental groups have organised awareness drives and engaged legal counsel to press for deemed forest status for the 120 acre patch. They argue that granting such protection will preserve biodiversity, reduce pollution and maintain a critical green belt adjacent to a high-traffic airport.
Environmental concerns underpin the campaign. Delhi’s citywide green cover is estimated at around 23 percent, well below the commonly recommended minimum of 33 percent. The south-west district is particularly deficient, with green cover estimates near 2.3 percent. Campaigners warn that cutting thousands of trees in the area would aggravate air quality problems, increase urban heat and remove a natural buffer against noise and emissions from frequent flights.
Loss of habitat could also push wild animals into neighbouring residential areas, potentially increasing incidents of human animal conflict. Campaigners point to additional consequences, including reduced groundwater recharge, heightened surface runoff and a greater risk of localised flooding. They add that replacing the living forest with concrete will increase local temperatures and reduce natural air filtration.
Campaigners have filed petitions and are pursuing legal avenues to secure protection for the woodland. They are seeking to have Dwarka Forest granted deemed forest status because it meets all eligibility criteria. Their central claim is that much of the proposed construction is not essential to railway operations and can be sited elsewhere. What happens next will hinge on the outcome of the legal proceedings and the decisions of the relevant authorities.
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