The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed that the Delhi Ridge Management Board be constituted and begin executing its assigned responsibilities without delay. The board, which was granted statutory powers by the Supreme Court last year, has yet to appoint two mandatory members from civil society, impeding its functioning.
NGT Bench's Directive
A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, in an order dated May 18, stated: "We are of the view that Delhi Ridge Management Board should be constituted and will proceed with the assigned work as expeditiously as possible." The tribunal emphasized the urgency of the board's formation to address ecological concerns in the Delhi Ridge area.
Background of the Board
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued a gazette notification on December 1, 2025, reconstituting the board, replacing the earlier body formed in 1995. Following the Supreme Court's November directions, the board was granted statutory powers to function as the authority responsible for issuing permissions related to the use of the Delhi Ridge, as well as monitoring and taking action against encroachments and other violations threatening this ecologically sensitive area. The previous body lacked such statutory powers.
However, the Delhi Forest Department has not yet appointed two members from civil society, resulting in no meetings being held. The last meeting of the board occurred in July 2025.
Hearing Details
During the hearing, counsel for the Ridge Management Board informed the tribunal that the constitution of the board was "not yet complete," although all approvals had been received. He submitted that "the first meeting would be held after the board is fully constituted" but stated he had no instructions on a timeline for the appointments.
The NGT has clubbed several cases seeking protection of the Delhi ridges. The initial notification under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act was issued in 1994 for all ridges. For full legal protection, the Section 4 notification should be followed by a notification under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, which remains pending even after 31 years. The Times of India had earlier reported that out of the total 6,200 hectares of the Southern Ridge, 4,080 hectares were notified under Section 20 in November last year. The remaining area will be notified in phases.
Next Steps
The tribunal directed: "The respondents concerned and the ridge management board will file the progress report in respect of phase-II of the Southern Ridge." The NGT will monitor the progress to ensure the board becomes fully operational and the legal protection of the ridge is completed.
