Forests are the largest ecosystem on Earth and home to many plant and animal species. Increasing human population and activities have degraded forests through shrinking coverage and biodiversity loss. The Pulpehladpur town in South East Delhi was originally forested but has experienced massive deforestation over decades due to overexploitation and encroachment. The population is growing and largely originates from other states for employment. As per Census 2011, Pulpehladpur had a population of 69,657 with Hindus comprising 85.72% and migration from states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Comparison of satellite images shows around 36.18% of the forest area has been encroached upon illegally

1. Forests constitute the largest ecosystem and habitat of valuable species of
plants and animals on the earth surface. The increasing size of population
combined with increasing diversity of human activities is continuously
degrading the forest areas of the earth’s surface causing great threat to it
in respect of shrinkage of coverage, loss of biodiversity and disturbance in
the ecological balance. The intense depletion of forest cover in various
parts has also brought about large-scale environmental changes including
disappearance of many valuable floral and faunal species.
In the said context, the census town Pulpehladpur in South East Delhi
district of Delhi, located in the Southern East part of Delhi, was dominantly
covered with, Residential , Commercial , Industrial and Transportation ,
Utilities , Publics and Semi Publics and Recreational , widely distributed in
both the Flatland and Morphological Ridge of the district. However, during
last few decades the Morphological Ridge forests of the district have
experienced massive depletion because of excessive exploitations and
encroachments transforming many patches of forestland treeless and now
being used for other purposes. Even the reserved forests are also under
acute degradation and encroachment.
As per India Census (2011), Pul Pehladpur had a population of 69,657.
Males constitute 54.5% of the population and females 45.5%. Pul
Pehladpur has an average literacy rate of 84.4%, higher than the national
average of 73%: male literacy is 91.28%, and female literacy is 76.23%.
Due to the ease of doing business and ease of getting employment , the
population largely originates from Rajasthan and Haryana. The different
communities that begin to settle and encroach the South Delhi forest area
are as follows:
Religion % of Pop.
Ethnic
Communities
Hindu 85.72%
Bidudi ,
Haryanvi Jaat,
Gujjar,
Paharis ,
Marvaries(Raj.)
and
Baniyas
Muslim 12.20%
Christian 0.83%
Sikh 0.79%
Buddhist 0.14%
Jain 0.25%
Other
Religion
0%
No Religion
Specified
0.07% Hindu
86%
Muslim
12%
Christian
1%
Sikh
1%
Buddhist
0%
Jain
0%
Other Religion…
No Religion Specified
0%
Pie Diagram of percentage of different
Religion and Ethnic Communities of Pul-
Pehladpur
(Source: Census Commission of India.)
Introduction:
Demographics:
Depletion of Forest Cover and Encroachment in South Delhi Reserved
Forest in the Pulpehladpur , South East Delhi, India
Figure 1: Location of South Delhi Reserve Forest (Source: Revenue Department Delhi)
Table of Different Religion and Ethnic
Communities of Pul-Pehladpur
(Source: Census Commission of India.)

2. Encroachment Analysis and their Transformation: -
• As per Existing literature on contemporary urbanization in Delhi showed extensive
changes in urban land cover , socio-economic structure , and the implication of
urbanization on the environment and ecology.
• At present, Delhi is both a state and a city. Since independence and partition in
1947, Delhi has been a major destination of migrants throughout the country,
which led to haphazard development in the region.
• As per comparison of satellites image of 2002 to 2022 approx. 36.18 % forest area
are enchrohed by migrant of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• According to a comparison of satellite images from 2012 to 2022, there was a
significant increase in encroachment on South Delhi forest land.
• According to our survey, the majority of the encroached population are belongs
to Haryanvi , Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• The economic development led to an increase in mostly skilled and semiskilled
migrants to Delhi metropolitan area from all over the country. Eventually, large-
scale development of roads and highways, as well as the inter- and intracity
metro railway system, improved the connectivity between Delhi NCT and these
adjacent cities.
(Source: South Delhi Forest Department)
(Source: South Delhi Forest Department)
(Source: South Delhi Forest Department)

3. ENCROACHMENT IN THE FOREST AREA OF PULPEHLADPUR
S.NO.
Khasra
No.
Total Area
Total Forest
Area Khasras Vise
Area
Area
Remark
Bigha Biswa Bigha Biswa Bigha Biswa
1 309 2 16 2 16 1 18 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
2 310 157 7 157 7 47 9 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
3 311 120 0 120 0 52 10 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
4 312 72 19 72 19 16 10 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
5 313 123 17 123 17 34 16 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
6 314 47 9 47 9 12 10 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
7 315 155 18 155 18 72 10 ABADI ENCROACHMENT
TOATL 246 3
*Encroachment of 8-0 Bigha — Biswas in Khasra nos. 310 (8-0) removed on 08/03/2019.
Current Scenario of Encroachment :
• The economic liberalization of India in 1991
resulted in the rapid growth of foreign direct
investment in and around major metropolitan
cities in India. During the 2000–2005 period, the
Delhi NCR received almost 26% of the total FDI in
India with an allowance of 100% FDI in real
estate and infrastructure development.
• The primary cause of the increase in
encroachment on Pul-Pehladpur forest area is
the rapid growth in urbanization and
infrastructural development .
• In accordance with the Lt. Governor's direction,
the encroachment of forest land and wasteland
is immediately removed , although this cannot
be done right away due to weak cooperation
from Delhi Police and a lack of manpower from
Delhi Forest.
• However, according to the Sonia Gosh Matter
affidavit, the Delhi Forest Department has
currently cleared almost 8 Bigha of Encroaching
Forest Area.
• As soon as the encroachment was removed, the
Delhi South Forest Department planted trees on
that’s area. In order to prevent further
encroachment, the department also built an
Ashlar Boundary wall and planted trees on any
vacant Land.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
309 310 311 312 313 314
Analysis of Enchroached Forest Land
Total Area (Bigha) Total Forest Area Khasras Vise Area (Bigha) Encroached Area (Bigha)
Area
in
Bigha
Khasras Number
Table of Encroachment in the forest area in different Khasras No. of Pul-Pehladpur
(Source: Report of Special Task Force (STF))
Bar Graph of Encroachment in the forest area in different Khasras No. of Pul-Pehladpur
(Source: Report of Special Task Force (STF))

4. Conclusion :
• Forest is an inseparable part of the earth’s environment and it is deeply
linked to human civilization
• Similarly, Delhi South Forest division play an important role in the
environmental and ecological balance of the South east Delhi district.
However, this valuable forest cover is under continuous degradation.
• Deforestation and encroachment of forestland obviously have become
more vital issues of discussion in the district. Hence, it remains imperative
to generate awareness among the people of the country in general
including the people of Pulpaheladpur about the vulnerability of the
forest.
• People’s participation in protection of forest and wildlife is highly essential
along with positive steps from the forest department. In addition, there
should sustainable plans for exploitation and utilization of the forest
resources.
• In order to resettlement of slums, the government also plays a crucial role.
Their proper coordination with the development authority, the Local
builder, and the nabour state government, it can provide residents and
create a plan that is effective for their employment as well as their
settlement.
• We prevent further encroachment on forest land with the correct
assistance of Delhi Police and Local Politics.
(Source: Author)
16/10/2022
Source: The Hindu , Articale –”The future is green”
Source: The Indian Express ,
Articale –”The Green Building lie
in optimizing resources and
energy use”
Submitted By: Onkar Chauhan (Master in Planning , 1st Semester)