In a move aimed at strengthening protection of the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge areas, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has approved the reconstitution of the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) for the creation of a multi-agency body to oversee the conservation and environmental governance of the Capital’s “green lungs”.
The reconstituted board, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, will bring together senior officials from the Delhi Government, Centre, civic agencies, Delhi Police and environmental institutions to streamline the management and protection of the Delhi Ridge ecosystem.
Under the new structure, the Chief Secretary of Delhi will chair the board, while the Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), senior representatives of the Union Environment and Housing Ministries, the MCD Commissioner and NDMC chairman will serve as its members. Senior officials from the Delhi Police, Revenue Department, CPWD and the Environment and Forest Departments have also been included in the board to strengthen enforcement and coordination.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests will function as the Member Secretary of the board, overseeing implementation and monitoring of conservation measures. In a significant addition, the board will also include environmental experts and civil society representatives, including retired IFS officer Arvind Madhav Singh and researcher Malvika Kaul, to promote sustainable management practices and community participation.
A separate Standing Committee with powers similar to the main board has also been constituted to handle urgent environmental matters and enable quicker decision-making. Officials said the revamped governance framework is expected to improve coordination among agencies responsible for protecting Delhi’s Ridge, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the city’s ecological balance, biodiversity and climate resilience.
