The Supreme Court of India has said that the focus on increasing green cover should not remain limited to the national capital and must be expanded across the country.
Supreme Court calls for holistic approach to green cover
The observation was made during a hearing related to environmental and pollution issues affecting Delhi. A bench headed by Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, stressed that India needs a more holistic environmental strategy.
The Top Court noted that there is a tendency to focus heavily on improving greenery only in Delhi because of its severe air pollution. However, the judges pointed out that environmental concerns and the need for more tree cover exist in many other parts of the country as well. According to the bench, solving environmental challenges requires broader thinking and coordinated planning rather than focusing on a single city.
Delhi’s ridge forests central to the discussion
The court’s remarks came during proceedings related to the protection and management of the Delhi Ridge, which forms part of the Aravalli Range. The ridge is a rocky and forested stretch that plays an important role in maintaining the city’s ecological balance. For administrative purposes, the ridge area is divided into four zones, south, south-central, central and north, covering around 7,784 hectares of land. These forested regions are considered the “green lungs” of Delhi and are vital for controlling pollution and maintaining biodiversity in the city.
While discussing measures to protect the ridge and increase tree cover in the capital, the Supreme Court emphasised that environmental protection should not be restricted to Delhi alone. The bench said the country must move beyond the mindset that only the capital requires greenery and instead adopt policies that improve green cover across multiple cities and regions.
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The court’s remarks highlight the need for long-term ecological planning, with experts stressing that expanding tree cover remains one of the most sustainable ways to improve air quality and environmental health in India.
