Supreme Court Establishes Statutory Delhi Ridge Management Board for Ecological Protection

The case stemmed from decades of fragmented oversight of Delhi Ridge, an ecologically critical extension of the Aravalli Range. Despite preliminary notifications issued in 1994 and subsequent judicial interventions, only 103.48 hectares of Ridge land had been finally notified as “Reserved Forest” under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Multiple agencies, including the Ridge Management Board (constituted in 1995 pursuant to M.C. Mehta v. Union of India), the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), and the National Green Tribunal, had been concurrently supervising different aspects of the Ridge’s management. This led to overlapping jurisdictions, duplication of work, and conflicting orders.

The Court noted that the Delhi government had failed to issue a final notification under Section 20 of the Forest Act despite repeated directions, and that rampant encroachments continued to degrade the Ridge and its unprotected “Morphological Ridge” areas, which share similar geological characteristics.

Main Issue: Whether the Delhi Ridge Management Board, operating without statutory backing, should be reconstituted as a statutory body under the Environment (Protection) Act to act as a single-window authority for all matters related to the protection, restoration, and regulation of the Delhi Ridge and Morphological Ridge.

SC’s Decision: The Supreme Court held that the absence of statutory backing crippled the DRMB’s effectiveness. The Court directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to reconstitute the DRMB under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The new Board, chaired by the Chief Secretary of Delhi, will include senior officials from the Delhi government, the DDA, municipal bodies, NGOs, and a representative from the Central Empowered Committee.

The Court mandated the DRMB to function as a single-window statutory authority, responsible for completing the final notification of the Ridge as a Reserved Forest; removing encroachments from both the Ridge and Morphological Ridge; identifying and demarcating Morphological Ridge areas; ensuring ecological restoration, afforestation, and scientific management; and maintaining transparency through periodic reports, public consultation, and a dedicated website.

A Standing Committee, chaired by the CEC representative, will handle day-to-day functions. The DRMB must submit biannual reports to the Supreme Court, and the CEC member will report quarterly on compliance. The Court emphasised that statutory institutionalisation ensures accountability, transparency, and judicial oversight, and that all authorities in Delhi must act in aid of the Board’s functions.

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