National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi: In a suo motu matter relating to large-scale encroachments and slow reclamation efforts in Delhi’s Southern Ridge region, the Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member) stated that the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) should be constituted and commence its assigned work as expeditiously as possible; directed the respondents concerned and the DRMB to file a progress report of Phase I of the Central Ridge and Phase II of the Southern Ridge.
The NGT registered the present matter suo motu based on a news report titled “Why efforts to reclaim the Ridge — Delhi’s lungs — is no easy task,” which highlighted the large-scale encroachments and slow reclamation efforts in Delhi’s Southern Ridge region, a crucial green zone for the city. The report stated that substantial portions of the Ridge, including areas within the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, remained encroached despite identification of over 357 hectares of encroached land in a 2019 survey, but only about 22 per cent being cleared so far. It further referred to alleged illegal occupation and use of forest land by private entities, institutions, and commercial establishments, besides delays caused by litigation, land demarcation issues, and lack of dedicated resources.
The NGT observed that the news report raised substantial issues relating to non-compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and thus took cognizance of the matter in exercise of its suo motu jurisdiction. The NGT thereafter impleaded the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Delhi, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the District Magistrate, South Delhi as respondents, and issued notices directing them to file replies by way of affidavit before the next date of hearing.
Subsequently, an execution application was filed seeking compliance with the NGT’s earlier directions issued in 2021 for the protection of the Delhi Ridge, including notification of Ridge areas under Section
The NGT further took note of subsequent orders passed by the Supreme Court in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2514, wherein the Supreme Court observed that multiple committees monitoring the Delhi Ridge had resulted in overlapping jurisdiction and conflicting outcomes. To streamline supervision, the Supreme Court directed the constitution of the DRMB as a statutory authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
In view of the Constitution of the DRMB, the NGT held that the Oversight Committee earlier constituted by it stood substituted by the DRMB. However, it observed that the earlier direction regarding identification of remaining Ridge areas and preparation of an action plan for removal of encroachments still remained uncomplied with, and accordingly impleaded the DRMB as a respondent.
On 13 May 2026, counsel appearing for the DRMB informed the NGT that although all approvals for the constitution of the DRMB had been received, the Board had not yet been formally constituted, and no timeline could presently be indicated for the same. The NGT observed that the DRMB should be constituted and commence its assigned functions as expeditiously as possible.
The NGT recorded the submission of the Forest Department that the notification relating to Phase I of the Central Ridge had been prepared and was likely to be published shortly, and directed that the same be placed on record upon publication. Further, the NGT directed the respondents concerned and the DRMB to file a progress report regarding Phase II of the Southern Ridge.
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[Pavit Singh v. State (NCT of Delhi), Execution Application No. 32 of 2024, decided on 18-5-2026]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the applicant: Karishma Maria, Advocate in E.A No. 32/2024
Senior Advocate Raj Panjwani (Amicus Curiae) with Aayushman Aeron, Advocate in E.A No. 39/2024
For the respondents: Aman Panwar, Siddhant Buxy and Mr. Manav Kaushik, Advocates for GNCTD, Forest Department
Suhasini Sen and Aeshna Salwan, Advocates for MoEF & CC
Siddhant Buxy, Advocate for DRMB (R – 15)
Puja S. Kalra and Virendra Singh, Advocates for MCD
Gigi. C. George and Neha Sharma, Advocates for Delhi Police
