In a significant administrative move, the forest and wildlife department of Delhi is set to undertake a comprehensive realignment and demarcation of its forest divisions. This restructuring comes in direct response to the recent creation of new districts within the national capital territory, marking a strategic effort to enhance operational efficiency and resource management.
Aligning with New District Boundaries
Officials from the department have confirmed that the primary objective of this exercise is to optimize manpower deployment and ensure more effective management of forest and wildlife zones across Delhi. The department, which shoulders critical responsibilities including wildlife protection, extensive greening initiatives, and the safeguarding of forested areas, finds this realignment essential for streamlined governance.
Historical Context and Previous Restructuring
This is not the first time such a restructuring has been initiated. A similar realignment was conducted in 2021, which led to the creation of a central forest division. That earlier move was specifically designed to reduce travel time for tree and range officers, thereby improving their response to urgent cases such as illegal tree felling and wildlife mortality incidents.
Impact of District Reorganization
The necessity for the current realignment stems from the recent administrative overhaul of Delhi's districts. Previously comprising 11 districts, Delhi now officially has 13 districts. As reported in December of last year, three new districts—Old Delhi, Central North, and Outer North—have been established, while ten existing districts have been retained with revised and updated boundaries.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa elaborated on the directive, stating, "Following the reorganisation of the districts, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has emphasized the need for all departmental divisions to align with this new structure. Consequently, we are actively preparing a detailed plan to align the divisions of the forest and wildlife department according to the updated revenue districts."
Current Forest Division Structure
Presently, Delhi's forest and wildlife management is organized into four distinct divisions: south, west, north, and central. Each of these divisions is overseen by a deputy conservator of forests, who also fulfills the role of tree officer. The central division, notably established during the 2021 restructuring, was specifically introduced to enhance response mechanisms and improve grievance redressal processes for citizens and environmental concerns.
Delhi's Green Cover and Environmental Significance
According to the latest India State of Forest Report 2023, Delhi boasts a green cover of 371.3 square kilometers. This substantial area accounts for an impressive 25.04% of the capital's total geographical expanse, which measures 1,483 square kilometers. The preservation and expansion of this green cover remain a paramount objective for the department, underscoring the importance of efficient administrative structures to support environmental conservation efforts.
The impending realignment is expected to facilitate better coordination, quicker decision-making, and more targeted conservation strategies, ultimately contributing to the sustainable management of Delhi's precious natural resources amidst its urban landscape.
