Celebrate Delhi's natural treasures on Earth Day

Stop fuming over the Metro construction mess, Delhi is still a bounty of greenery and there’s no better day than Earth Day — April 22 — to celebrate its natural beauty.

Stop fuming over the Metro construction mess, Delhi is still a bounty of greenery and there’s no better day than Earth Day — April 22 — to celebrate its natural ­treasures.

In pics:World Earth Day across the globe

First observed back in 1970, the day stands in ­honour of the planet and peace, and we, too, thought we should remind you of the greenest areas in Delhi to explore and get inspired from.

Jahanpanah City Forest.

With 20,000 small, medium and big public parks and gardens, 40 city forests, five ridge areas and sanctuaries aplenty as per the Ministry of Environment and Forests, here’s our list of the greens you should go to.

Then, the ministry is imploring the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to increase their forest cover by 500% and 400% ­respectively, so it’s only getting better.

Before setting out for a green treat, we recommend, of course, that you run a due safety check and set out in packs well before dark.

Some of Delhi’s 40 city

Anand Vihar City Forest.

Hauz Rani City Forest off Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.

Nasirpur City Forest (south-west Delhi, fully developed with basic amenities/facilities for visitors.

Bawana City Forest bordering north-west Delhi, a protected area.

Sultanpur City Forest between Delhi and Gurgaon, off the MG Road.

Ghumenhera City Forest in south-west district, which is being developed as a protected green area.

The Kikar Jungle, located around Sardar Patel Marg, is famous for its thick green cover.

Southern Ridge Forest, Tughlaqabad: Spreading across 6200 hectares of green forest land, it is one of the largest ridges.

Delhi Ridge Forest, Central Ridge reserved forest: It is popularly known as the ‘green lung’ of the city.

Sanjay Van: Located in south Delhi, it is one of the most thickly-wooded areas of the city’s green covers.

Jahanpanah City Forest, Alaknanda: It has several trails inward, with the forest cover growing as one keeps ­walking.

Sanctuaries and campus

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Asola.

Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Vasant Vihar.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.

Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Sector 95, Noida.

Surajpur Wetland and Reserve Forest, Greater Noida.

Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Milan Vihar.

Green campuses

Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Kamala Nehru Ridge Forest — Delhi University (North Campus).

Parks

Deer Park, Hauz Khas.

Garden of Five Senses, Said-Ul-Ajaib.

Indraprastha Park, Sarai Kale Khan.

Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate.

Kalindi Kunj, Kalindi Kunj road.

Mahatma Gandhi Park, Chandni Chowk.

Netaji Subhash Park, RK Puram.

Talkatora Gardens, President’s Estate.