Delhi's Green Lungs Get Stronger Oversight: Expanded Ridge Management Board Proposed

In a move to strengthen the protection of Delhi's ecologically vital Ridge, the Centre has proposed expanding the city's Ridge Management Board (RMB) to include more members and broaden its representation. As of 2025-10-09T00:21:43+00:00, the current five-member RMB, headed by the Delhi chief secretary, will be expanded to a minimum of 12 members.

The proposed reconstituted board will feature representatives from the Union government, including the Director General of Forests and the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. It will also include the chiefs of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the Director General of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a Delhi Police representative, and two NGO nominees.

The expanded RMB will have enhanced powers, including the authority to remove unauthorized occupation or construction and to grant or deny permissions under relevant forest, environmental, and urban planning laws. The board will also have the flexibility to co-opt experts in forestry, ecology, or conservation for consultations, a feature missing in the current structure.

The Centre's proposal, filed by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), aims to streamline decision-making, tighten oversight, and strengthen conservation efforts in one of the city's most ecologically sensitive zones. This move follows the Supreme Court's suggestion in August for creating a single-window clearance system for all permissions related to tree-felling and developmental activities on Ridge land.