Delhi Ridge management overhaul raises concerns

New Delhi: Lieutenant governor T S Sandhu has approved the reconstitution and notification of the 14-member Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB), as well as the constitution of a five-member standing committee under DRMB’s authority to handle rapid-response environmental interventions.

However, experts have raised concerns over the composition of the new board, noting it includes senior officials from MCD, NDMC, ministry of housing and urban affairs, CPWD, Delhi Police and the land and revenue departments, giving govt representatives significant influence in decision-making.

In March, Supreme Court expressed grave doubts about its efficacy, saying except three members, there is clear conflict of interest regarding the rest as they are linked to govt. “If govt wants Ridge area land for urbanisation, which of the members except two or three would oppose it? So, who will protect the Ridge?”

Following SC’s Nov order to grant statutory powers to DRMB, the new body will function as the single-window authority in all matters pertaining to the Delhi Ridge spread over 7,784 hectares and the Morphological Ridge having “ridge-like features”. It will also act against encroachment and submit periodic reports to SC.

Earlier, for use of the Ridge and Morphological Ridge, permissions from the Ridge Management Board (RMB), SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and SC were needed. The old body lacked any power to act against encroachment.

In another report dated May 8, 2024, CEC found RMB approved 39 projects to carry out work in Delhi’s Ridge areas from 2015 onwards, diverting 301.8 hectares of land -- around 4% of Ridge area -- for construction work.

Headed by chief secretary, the new DRMB comprises DDA’s vice-chairperson, MCD commissioner, NDMC chairperson, CPWD director general, joint commissioner of police, principal secretary of revenue, principal secretary of environment and forest, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), and senior representatives from the ministry of environment, forests and climate change and MoHUA. DRMB also has Chandra Prakash Goyal from CEC and two environmental specialists nominated via MHA -- Arvind Madhav Singh, CEO of Centre for Sustainable Green Economy, and Malvika Kaul, director, research and communications, Sankala Foundation.

Officials said the statutory overhaul will lead to transitioning the capital’s ridge governance through an integrated, multi-agency regulatory body. “The primary mandate focuses on absolute ecological balance, climate resilience and safeguarding Delhi’s vital ridge ecosystem through a robust combination of senior secretariat leadership and prominent environmental experts,” said LG office in a statement.

The standing committee, meanwhile, will be headed by a nominee from CEC, with PCCF serving as member secretary. “The powers, duties and operational functions are legally bound to be co-extensive with those of the main DRMB, operating under the direct guidance and control of the board to ensure absolute accountability,” said the statement.

Sohail Madan, director of WildTales and a former RMB member, expressed concerns over the composition of the newly-constituted body. “It is heavily dominated by govt representatives. The earlier RMB had four govt officials, apart from those from the forest department, whereas the new board has 10 govt officials, excluding the forest department. Its implications will become evident once DRMB begins functioning,” he said.

Senior advocate Raj Panjwani, who has been appointed as amicus curiae by National Green Tribunal in matters relating to preservation of the Ridge, said, “The earlier RMB miserably failed to protect the ridge as illegal encroachments as well as diversion of ridge area for projects increased over the past two decades. On the lines of the National Board for Wildlife, a standing committee will also be constituted under DRMB. However, it is unclear whether the decisions of this standing committee will require approval from DRMB or will function independently. Govt has stated that the standing committee will be headed by a nominee of CEC, but the person has not yet been identified. There is no clarity about powers and functions of the standing committee.”

He added that in totality, it would be yet another “hogwash”, with each department passing on the responsibility to the other.

“There is a need for a more transparent and environmentally-conscious Ridge management body with proven, bold, independent members who are committed to preserving the already shrunk area of the Ridge. The entire Aravali range is at stake, not just the Ridge. Protecting the environment should be the primary responsibility of DRMB, free from any political overreach,” Panjwani said.