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Morphological Ridge
Context
The Supreme Court order issued show-cause notices to Delhi government officials, the MCD commissioner, for allegedly violating the 1996 Supreme Court directive by approving a housing project in Morphological Ridge, an ecologically sensitive area, without the required clearances.
About
- The Morphological Ridge is part of the larger Delhi Ridge, which marks the tail end of the Aravalli mountain range.
- This ridge stretches approximately 35 kilometers from Mahipalpur in the southwest to Wazirabad in the northeast of Delhi.
- The Morphological Ridge, though not officially designated as forest land, shares similar ecological features with the main Delhi Ridge, making it an important part of the region’s environmental landscape.
- Ecological Importance: The Morphological Ridge plays a critical role in maintaining Delhi’s ecological balance. The area is characterized by:
- Rocky outcrops and shallow soils.
- Dry thorn forests with drought-resistant plant species like bistendu and dhak.
- Uncultivable rocky hills, often referred to as gair mumkin pahad in revenue records.
- These features contribute to the Ridge's role as a natural green lung for Delhi, helping to:
- Absorb pollutants and reduce air pollution.
- Prevent desertification and mitigate the effects of sandstorms.
- Provide a habitat for native flora and fauna, contributing to biodiversity.
- Legal and Regulatory Framework: The 1996 Supreme Court Directive in the case M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India established clear guidelines to protect ecologically sensitive areas like the Delhi Ridge and its extensions, including the Morphological Ridge. The directive specifically:
- Bans encroachment and non-forest use without prior Court approval.
- Requires approval from the Ridge Management Board (RMB) and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) before any changes in land use.
- Despite not being officially designated as a Reserved Forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Ridge and its extensions are afforded protection through these legal mechanisms. This regulatory framework ensures that any urban development in the area must undergo thorough scrutiny to prevent damage to the ecosystem.
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