New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) Amid worsening air quality in the National Capital, the Supreme Court has delivered a significant judgment aimed at safeguarding the Delhi Ridge, a vital ecological zone that serves as the city’s “green lungs.”
A Bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice KV Chandran directed the union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to confer statutory status on the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective governance in the preservation of the ecologically fragile region.
The Court observed that little progress had been made over nearly three decades since it first took cognisance of the matter in 1995.
“Without proper statutory protection, it would not be possible to properly preserve the integrity of the Ridge,” the Bench remarked, expressing disappointment and deep concern that only 1.33 percent (103.48 hectares) of the identified 7,784 hectares of the Ridge area had been formally notified as a Reserved Forest under the Indian Forest Act.
“The Ridge acts as the green lungs of the city, especially in the present conditions of increased pollution. Without proper identification or preservation of the Ridge, the integrity of the entire ecology would be compromised,” the Court said, emphasising the urgent need for its protection and restoration.
Rejecting the union Government’s objection that granting statutory status to the DRMB would create overlapping authorities, the Court clarified that the purpose of the judgment was to streamline governance by making the DRMB a single-window authority for all matters concerning the Delhi Ridge.
“Like the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), if the DRMB is given statutory status, it will be able to function effectively and remain accountable,” the judgment, authored by Chief Justice Gavai, stated.
The Supreme Court ordered the reconstitution of the DRMB with the following mandates: That the DRMB shall act as a single-window authority for all issues related to the Delhi Ridge and Morphological Ridge.
It must ensure preservation of the Ridge in its pristine form, remove all encroachments, and undertake afforestation and ecological restoration measures. The Board shall submit status reports every six months to the Supreme Court.
It must function transparently, maintaining a website for public notices, hearings, and reports.
All Delhi authorities must aid the DRMB in discharging its duties.
The Court directed MoEF&CC to issue a notification under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act for the constitution of the DRMB with the following composition: Chief Secretary, GNCTD – Chairperson, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority – Member, Representative of DG Forests & Special Secretary, MoEF&CC – Member, Representative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Chairman, New Delhi Municipal Council, Director General, CPWD, Representative of Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Principal Secretary (Environment & Forests), GNCTD, Principal Secretary (Land Revenue), GNCTD, Two NGO representatives (to be nominated by GNCTD) shall be its members.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, GNCTD – Member-Secretary and the representative of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) shall also be its members.
To ensure efficiency, the Court also directed formation of a Standing Committee under the DRMB comprising: Member of the CEC (Chairperson), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, GNCTD, Two NGO representatives (already part of the DRMB), Nominee of the Chief Secretary, GNCTD and Nominee of the DDA (both conservation experts).
The CEC representative was further directed to report to the Supreme Court every three months on the functioning of the DRMB and its Standing Committee.
The Bench underlined that the DRMB’s core function must remain the conservation of existing Ridge forests, removal of encroachments, and prevention of further fragmentation.
The Court directed the DRMB to adopt scientific conservation practices, ensure public consultation, and maintain transparency in all operations.
The Court also appreciated the valuable assistance of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and Amicus Curiae K. Parameshwar, who were assisted by advocates Mukunda, Kanti, Shreenivas Patil, and Raji Gururaj.
“The Ridge is the city’s natural shield against pollution and climate change. Preserving it is not just a statutory obligation but a moral imperative,” the Bench concluded.
