Streamline Delhi Ridge Oversight with a Single Body, Orders Supreme Court to MoEF&CC Allows TN Water Project with Strict Environmental Safeguards - 2025-08-06

Supreme Court Directs MoEF&CC to Form Single Body for Delhi Ridge Oversight, Tackles Key Environmental Issues

New Delhi – In a significant move to streamline environmental governance, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to create a single, unified body for monitoring all issues related to the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge. The order aims to resolve the confusion and potential for conflicting decisions arising from multiple committees overseeing the area.

The direction came from a three-judge bench comprising the Hon'ble Chief Justice, Justice K. Vinod Chandran, and Justice N.V. Anjaria, while hearing a series of applications within the long-pending environmental case, T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India .

Unifying Command for Delhi's Green Lungs

The Court observed that various authorities, including committees appointed by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, as well as the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), are currently involved in granting permissions for land diversion and other activities in the Delhi Ridge. This multiplicity of oversight has led to administrative delays and conflicting directives.

To address this, the bench ordered the MoEF&CC to take the lead in formulating a concrete proposal for a single monitoring body.

"We, therefore, direct the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to take all the stake holders on board... and to come out with a proposal wherein one uniform body can be entrusted with monitoring the issues relating to the Delhi Ridge," the Court stated.

The bench has set a firm deadline of October 8, 2025, for the Ministry to submit its proposal, clarifying that no further extensions will be granted. All stakeholders, including the Government of NCT of Delhi and existing committees, have been instructed to cooperate fully with the MoEF&CC.

Green Light for Tamil Nadu Water Project with Strict Riders

In another major decision, the Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to permit the diversion of forest land for the Hogenakkal Combined Water Supply Scheme Phase-II in Tamil Nadu. The project, crucial for supplying drinking water to the Dharmapuri District, requires the diversion of 19.05 hectares of the Bevanurmalai Reserved Forest and the felling of 4,021 trees.

While granting permission, the Court imposed strict conditions as laid out in CEC Report No. 30 of 2025. The bench emphasized that the State of Tamil Nadu must "scrupulously comply" with all safeguards. Key conditions include: - Obtaining prior approval from the Central Government under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. - Completing compensatory afforestation on designated land before project work begins. - Implementing comprehensive wildlife mitigation measures, as the project is near the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary's Eco-Sensitive Zone. - A penalty of ₹50,000 per violation for any damage to trees not approved for felling.

Odisha Tourism Project Under Scanner

The Court also addressed an application challenging a proposed ₹91 crore tourism project within and around the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. Noting that the project is currently only at the "request for proposal" stage, the bench disposed of the application with a cautionary directive.

The Court reminded the Odisha government of its obligation to adhere to all existing environmental laws and previous Supreme Court orders defining permissible activities in wildlife sanctuaries and their Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).

"The authorities ought to be aware of the orders passed by this Court. At the cost of repetition, we direct that the State Government, while finalizing the proposal... should take into consideration the earlier orders passed by this Court," the bench observed.

These orders underscore the Supreme Court's continued role as a vigilant guardian of India's environmental jurisprudence, balancing developmental needs with the imperative of ecological conservation.