Rocky ridge of Aravalli hills extending into Delhi will be restored to its pristine glory by undertaking intensive protection and plantation. The Aravali hills in Delhi have to distinctive features. Native tree species is one of the two distinct natural features of Delhi. Many parts of the Ridge are in a degraded state due to biotic factors.
Forest Department has undertake enrichment plantation of about 10000 saplings of native tree species at the Central Ridge in the triangular piece of approximately 80 ha in extent surrounded by Simon Bolivar Marg, Upper Ridge Road, Sardar Patel Marg and Dhaula Kuan.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today called upon younger generation including students to render their constructive contribution in mitigation of danger arising out of climate change. She further exhorted them to help in increasing survival rate saplings being planted across the city. Dikshit was speaking after inauguration of plantation drive for eco-restoration of Central Ridge at Sardar Patel Marg and Plantation of Bougainvillea on the bank of Burari Supplementary drain on NH-1 Outer Ring Road. She along with large number of School Children planted saplings to mark inaugural of the drive.

The total area of that part of the ridge is approximately 82 Ha. Out of which approximately 28 Ha. is with the Army public School, Mahavir Vanasthali, DMRC and Northern Railways. Of the remaining area, restoration works can be initially undertaken over three patches measuring about 8 ha as the remaining area is covered with vegetation.

The species to be planted have been selected in consultation with Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), Delhi University, and include Acacia leucophloea, Aegle marmalos, Albizzia spp, Balanites roxburghii, Butea monosperma, Cassis fistula, Cordia myxa, Emblica officinal is, Holoptelea integrifolia, Prosopis cineraria, Terminalia Billerica etc. The available grasslands in the Ridge will also be enriched with grass species including Cencharus ciliaris, C. Setigerus, Heteropogon Contortus, Chrysopogon, Arstida, planting material for which will be provided by CEMDE.

The plantations being raised will be supported by water augmented through water harvesting measures and by utilizing the treated sewage water available from the five star hotels situated near the planting side across the Sardar Patel Marg.