Delhi’s Ridge gets Panchvati Van as ecologists question theme-grove plan

Delhi’s Central Ridge has received a new theme-based plantation site called Panchvati Van, with the forest department planning seven more themed patches in the Central and Southern ridges.

The proposed sites are intended to help visitors engage with nature and support eco-tourism. For residents, they could create additional green spaces to visit in parts of the Ridge, which is an important natural area within the city.

But ecologists quoted in the report have questioned the approach. Their concern is that the plantations may become ornamental gardens rather than contribute to genuine ecosystem restoration. They have also flagged the suitability of the selected trees for the Ridge’s soil conditions.

The debate matters because plantation projects can have very different outcomes depending on species choice and how closely they reflect the existing landscape. The report does not specify which species have been planted at Panchvati Van or provide a timeline for the remaining proposed patches. As the plan expands, the ecological design and long-term upkeep of these sites are likely to be central questions.