Delhi Ridge, sometimes known as The Ridge, is located in Delhi. There are many ridge area of Delhi found on the Delhi road map. On the Delhi road map, the ridge area of Delhi is located in 4 spheres. The northern extension ridge is 1500 million years ancient Aravalli Range which has quartzite rocks. It extends at Tughlaqabad from Southeastern side near the mines of Bhatti and comes out near Wazirabad’s north corner on River Yamuna’s west bank by covering about 35 kilometers distance.
The Delhi Ridge is acknowledged as the pair of ‘green lungs’ for the people of Delhi as it protects the city from the hot blowing winds coming from the deserts of Rajasthan towards west. It is equally responsible for giving Delhi the tag of second most world’s bird-rich capital city and the first being Kenya’s Nairobi. Aravalli hills helps in the absorption of pollution, environment amelioration and groundwater recharge. It is Delhi’s only natural forest and it boasts a huge variety of insect, bird, animal and plant species.
The city is surrounded by many dry and deciduous forests known as the ridge area of Delhi. The Government agencies inability to keep the ridge area of Delhi from being utilized for the development purposes and local communities’ lack of awareness has degraded the Ridge’s ecological balance.
It is divided into 4 spheres which are the northern ridge or the Old Delhi ridge, the Central ridge or the new ridge, the south central ridge and the southern ridge. There are large numbers of interesting monuments present in ridge’s northern part which are as follows:
Aravalli Biodiversity Park: It is located in 692 acres area and surrounded by Vasant Vihar, NH-8, Palam road, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Mehrauli-Mahipalpur road. University of Delhi and Delhi Development Authority have maintained it.
Ashok Pillar: The Ashoka pillars are spread all across India’s northern part. Two are located in the Northern ridge area of Delhi.
Flagstaff Tower: It is found in the campus of Delhi University. It was made in use as a tower for giving signals and it played an important role during 1857’s Indian Rebellion.
Pir Gharib: This structure or monument was an observatory earlier. It was also a hunting lodge of the time period of 14th century. Feroz Shah Tughlaq built it and is found on the ridge’s northern part.
The ridge till now has been much affected and the animals have also been vanished years ago due to the rising human activities. There are still about 200 birds species seen in this area. It is a refreshing experience for the nature lovers and bird watchers who can enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of this place.
A huge portion is still not protected and hotels, malls etc. have been constructed in the area without environmental clearances. The landscape has been modified by the active mining. Habitations and fringes have also put huge pressure on the areas biodiversity.
The battle of saving the ridge area of Delhi is still going on. The Geological Survey of India has said that the ridge must be looked after and maintained and there is no permission granted for any further infringements. Efforts have being made at present in order to save this place from exploitation and provide a green space for the wildlife and birds within the capital.