Legal Status Granted to Compensatory Afforestation Site in Narela
The Delhi Government has officially notified 1.0066 hectares of land in Narela as a Protected Forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The notification, issued by the Department of Forests and Wildlife and published in the Delhi Gazette, brings the compensatory afforestation site under statutory protection to prevent unauthorised use and ensure its long-term conservation.
Issued under Section 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, read with relevant Ministry of Home Affairs notifications and other statutory provisions applicable to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the declaration has been made with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The notification takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Significance Beyond Land Size
The significance of the notification lies not in the size of the land but in the legal status it now acquires. The notified parcel is compensatory afforestation land in Village Narela, Tehsil Narela, Outer North District. This means the area earmarked for plantation has now been brought under the protection of forest law, making it less vulnerable to unauthorised use or encroachment while ensuring its continued conservation as part of Delhi's forest ecosystem.
According to the Gazette notification, the protected area covers portions of Khasra Nos. 18//11, 18//12, 18//18, 18//19, 18//20, 18//21/1, 18//21/2, 18//22/1, 18//22/2 and 18//23 in Narela. The notification goes beyond merely identifying the land and records its geo-referenced coordinates, boundary details and maps to facilitate administrative monitoring and precise identification of the protected area.
Geo-Referenced Boundaries and Official Record
The Gazette contains 17 geo-coordinates marking the boundaries of the protected land and includes a detailed map of the site, creating an official record that can be used for future management and protection. The order has been issued by the Department of Forests and Wildlife under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor and has been signed by Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Secretary (Environment and Forests).
