New Delhi: Eight water bodies will be developed in Delhi's central and southern ridge to improve groundwater recharge, conserve soil moisture and support wildlife as part of the Delhi Ridge Eco-Restoration Programme, according to officials.The initiative also forms part of the ridge eco-restoration programme launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the inaugural day of Delhi's mega plantation drive. The programme aims to rejuvenate existing water bodies and harness drainage and stormwater runoff to strengthen the ridge ecosystem.A total of eight sites have been identified for the interventions. In the southern ridge, the proposed locations are Devli, Chhatarpur, Bhatti and Ayanagar villages along their corresponding drainages.In the central ridge, the selected sites are the eastern part of Shankar Road in Pocket B, Vande Mataram Road in Pocket B, Vande Mataram Road in Pocket F and Ramnath Vij Marg in Pocket E.According to officials, the interventions will focus on rejuvenating and strengthening existing water bodies, capturing and utilising drainage and stormwater flows, and improving groundwater recharge, soil moisture conservation and overall watershed management within the ridge ecosystem.An official associated with the project told PTI that most of the proposed sites are natural depressions that already collect rainwater during the monsoon but have gradually lost their capacity due to siltation and lack of maintenance."These are like natural depressions. We are cleaning them, increasing their depth and carrying out stone pitching so that they can hold more water," the official said.The project also seeks to address waterlogging in areas around the ridge by diverting excess rainwater into these water bodies through natural drainage channels."By creating natural drainage channels that follow the existing slope of the land, we plan to divert rainwater from stretches that are prone to monsoon waterlogging into these proposed water bodies," the official said.Officials said the intervention would not only reduce surface runoff and improve groundwater recharge but also help retain moisture in the ridge landscape, particularly during dry months.The restored water bodies are also expected to provide a reliable water source for birds and other wildlife inhabiting the ridge while supporting the regeneration of native vegetation, the official added.The Delhi ridge is one of the capital's most important ecological assets. It serves as a green buffer against dust storms, supports biodiversity and plays a key role in regulating the city's microclimate.Officials said the eco-restoration programme focuses on improving the long-term ecological health of the ridge through habitat restoration, water conservation and scientific management of its natural resources.Besides enhancing groundwater recharge and soil moisture conservation, the programme aims to strengthen the resilience of the ridge ecosystem against climate-related stresses and improve its capacity to support wildlife, an offical said.