Dwarka forest and the misunderstood politics of deemed forests and invasive species
The Dwarka forest in southwest Delhi is a self-grown, 120-acre natural forest that has become a subject of legal battles between environmentalists and railway authorities. The forest's status as a 'deemed forest' is being disputed despite having over 20,000 trees and supporting diverse wildlife.
The Dwarka forest, a 120-acre natural forest in southwest Delhi, has become a point of contention between environmentalists and railway authorities. The forest developed on land acquired by the Delhi Development Authority in 1986 and later leased to the railways. It now hosts over 20,000 trees of 33 varieties and supports 65 bird species, nilgais, and diverse insects. The Supreme Court's definition of 'forest' includes 'deemed forests', which are areas with dominant vegetation regardless of land ownership. A recent judgment questioned the forest's status, sparking legal battles. The forest is an example of a 'novel ecosystem' that has emerged through human intervention.
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