Lt. Gov. Sandhu Approves Reconstituted Delhi Ridge Board

NEW DELHI — Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu approved the reconstitution and notification of the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) in New Delhi. The move follows the Supreme Court's judgment in the matter of TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India and was carried out under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The Delhi Ridge is owned by the Delhi Development Authority, while its maintenance falls under the Environment and Forest Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Enforcement responsibilities are shared among multiple agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Revenue Department, and Delhi Police.

Under the reconstituted board, the Chief Secretary of GNCTD will serve as Chairperson. The Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority, representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will be members, along with senior officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council.

The board will also include enforcement representatives from the Central Public Works Department, Delhi Police, Revenue Department, and Environment & Forest Department. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, GNCTD, will serve as Member-Secretary. Additional members include retired Indian Forest Service officer Arvind Madhav Singh, CEO of the center for Sustainable Green Economy, and Malvika Kaul from the Sankala Foundation.

A specialised Standing Committee will operate under the Delhi Ridge Management Board to manage rapid-response environmental interventions. The committee will be headed by a nominee from the Central Empowered Committee, with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (GNCTD) as Member-Secretary and the Additional Commissioner (Landscape) from the Delhi Development Authority as a member. The committee’s powers and duties are legally co-extensive with those of the main board and will function under its direct guidance and control.