Delhi's Green Lung Under Scrutiny: Ridge Board Greenlights Key Projects Amidst Environmental Safeguards

In a series of pivotal decisions, the Delhi Ridge Management Board (RMB) has recently granted its approval to several significant projects, striking a delicate balance between urban development and the imperative to protect the city's dwindling green cover. Among the greenlit initiatives are a new café planned for the verdant expanse of Sanjay Van, the extension of the Members of Parliament (MP) Bhawan, and a handful of crucial defense infrastructure projects.

Each approval, however, comes tethered with stringent environmental conditions, underscoring the board’s commitment to preserving the ecological sanctity of the Delhi Ridge – often referred to as the capital's 'green lung'.

These conditions primarily revolve around extensive compensatory afforestation, meticulous tree transplantation, and continuous monitoring to mitigate the environmental impact of these developments.

The proposed café in Sanjay Van, a designated Biodiversity Park, has received a conditional nod.

The board has explicitly stipulated that no new permanent structures are to be erected for this facility. Instead, the project must strictly adhere to the use of pre-fabricated, movable structures, ensuring minimal disturbance to the natural landscape. This condition reflects a conscious effort to enhance visitor experience without compromising the ecological integrity of the park, which serves as a vital habitat for diverse flora and fauna.

Similarly, the expansion of the MP Bhawan, a project vital for accommodating the growing needs of parliamentarians, has been cleared under equally rigorous terms.

The project necessitates the felling of 11 trees and the transplantation of 54 others. To offset this loss, the RMB has mandated an impressive 1:10 ratio for compensatory afforestation, meaning that for every tree removed, ten new saplings must be planted. This aggressive afforestation strategy aims to not only replace the lost green cover but also enhance it over time.

Furthermore, several defense infrastructure projects, deemed critical for national security, have also been given the go-ahead.

While acknowledging the strategic importance of these developments, the board has imposed specific conditions tailored to each project. These include clear directives on the number of trees to be felled versus those to be transplanted, along with detailed plans for compensatory afforestation in designated areas.

The approvals emphasize that even projects of national significance must adhere to environmental protection norms.

The RMB has consistently highlighted the irreplaceable role of the Delhi Ridge in maintaining the capital's environmental health, acting as a natural air purifier and a crucial water recharge zone.

The board's recent deliberations underscored the necessity for project proponents to strictly adhere to all conditions, including obtaining permissions from other relevant bodies like the Delhi Urban Art Commission, where applicable. The emphasis remains on minimizing tree felling and maximizing transplantation success, with regular monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.

The decisions reflect an ongoing challenge in Delhi: balancing rapid urbanization and infrastructural demands with the urgent need for ecological conservation.

By imposing strict conditions and promoting aggressive compensatory afforestation, the Delhi Ridge Management Board strives to ensure that while the city evolves, its green heart continues to thrive, providing essential environmental services for future generations.