Gorgeous green forests in and around Delhi

Delhi has been struggling to maintain its records, related to high levels of pollution, dust, crowd, and unforgiving soaring temperatures. Yet, it is surprisingly home to some lush green forests too, which you can visit to experience the other side of Delhi. If you want to know about such quick getaways, here are some forest areas in Delhi that will help you to leave behind the daily grind, and spend some time in lush greenery.

It’s one of the most famous green spaces in Delhi, located near Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli. Stretched across a sprawling area of 783 ac of land, Sanjay Van offers the required respite from the concrete city jungle. The area is a haven for bird watches, as one can easily spot a variety of birds’ species here. From Brahminy starling, Asian Koel, to purple sunbird and the grey-breasted prinia, if you are lucky, you will even come across many other surprise sightings too. So, keep your camera ready!

It’s a lush green expanse, spread across an area of 6200 ha. To reach this spot, you can get off at the Tughlakabad metro, and walk toward the lush green canopy of trees, and there you reach the Southern Ridge forest. It is home to the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary, and is also home to around 193 species of birds, and a huge variety of plants. Also, with more than 80 species of butterflies fluttering around, you will never have a dull moment here.

This is one of the locations where one gets to witness a totally different side of Delhi. Covered with swaying trees and thorny shrubs, this spot can serve as a perfect location for a family to get together, away from the citylife. Interestingly, the forest is interspersed with fields and small villages, and the entire package seems to transport you to the wild countryside.

The Northern Ridge is situated adjacent to the North Campus, and has been a protected region since 1915. It is the smallest fragment of the ridge, and in 1915, around 170 ha of it was declared a reserved forest. Today, the forest area comprises around 87 ha. The Kamala Nehru ridge, which is also a part of the Northern ridge, is dotted with more than 60 species of birds and has thick vegetation. Note, here you will come across a 80- ft deep pond, known as Khooni Jheel, in which several Indian and British soldiers lost their lives in 1857.