Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding conservation and protection of Delhi Ridge, 17/02/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sonya Ghosh Vs Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Others dated 17/02/2025.
The matter related to conservation and protection of Delhi Ridge which is an extension of Aravali Range extending from Tughlakabad and branching out in Wazirabad in the north and also other parts of Delhi.
The NGT by order dated January 15, 2021 said that there is an "urgent need to take necessary steps to protect the Ridge by taking necessary steps to finalise the notification under section 20 of the Forest Act for reserved forest and protection by appropriate measures. The land about which there is clarity can be included in such notification and the remaining process can be undergone separately but expeditiously. No non-forest activity is permissible in Ridge area". The court directed the Delhi Government to ensure that requisite notification under section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 is issued within three months in respect of the area about which there is no controversy. Further actions to be taken by the Delhi Government should include suitable protection by fencing/wall and vigilance. Identification of the remaining area and action plan for removing the encroachments will be ensured within the next three months.
The NGT had also directed for the constitution of an Oversight Committee to be headed by DG Forest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). In terms of the above directions, the Delhi government through the Chief Secretary, Delhi was required to ensure that requisite notification under section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 is issued within three months in respect of areas about which there is no controversy.
The NGT order of January 15, 2021 has not been complied with when it comes to finalising the notification under section 20 of the Forest Act, 1972. The order was passed four years back and the "ridge acts as the green lungs of Delhi and has an active role in maintaining the air quality in Delhi". The compliance of the order within time would have contributed to improvement of air quality in Delhi, yet the order has not been complied with and no clear reasons are given by Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) in its affidavit for non-compliance of the order, the NGT, February 17, 2025 observed.
The NGT, February 17 gave two weeks time to the Delhi government to file a fresh affidavit and explain why action be not initiated against concerned authorities in terms of the provisions of NGT Act, 2010. The court will next hear the case on April 9, 2025.