Delhi government issues SOP for emergency pruning of trees and maintenance
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government's Environment Department has issued new guidelines under Section 33 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, providing clarity on the enforcement of Section 8, which mandates prior permission from a Tree Officer before a tree can be felled, removed or disposed of.
However, in cases of emergency where a tree poses an immediate threat to life, property, or traffic, exceptions will apply, allowing responsible agencies to act swiftly.
The guidelines, aimed at enhancing safety and infrastructure, allow Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), land-owning agencies or any responsible entity to take immediate action without prior approval.
However, they are required to report the action to the Tree Officer within 24 hours. The Department of Forest & Wildlife has also outlined specific situations where immediate tree removal or pruning may be necessary.
These include instances where trees obstruct roads, bridges, drains, or sewer lines; threaten buildings or heritage structures; interfere with metro or railway infrastructure; or are dead, dried, or leaning dangerously, posing a risk of falling.
In such cases, the concerned party must upload photographs from at least three different angles, geo-coordinates, and a justification for the action, along with post-action images, on the DPTA e-Forest portal.
This process will allow Tree Officers to verify the action as compliant with the Act. Additionally, Tree Officers can independently take action if they observe similar threats during field inspections.
Speaking on the matter, Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, 'The Delhi government is committed to the safety and well-being of its people, while also preserving the city's green wealth.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Delhil L-G relaxes rules on cutting trees for govt. housing project
Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena recently granted exemption under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, clearing the way for potential felling or transplantation of 856 trees for a government housing project in Kasturba Nagar. The exemption, notified on June 13, allows the Central Public Works Department to apply for tree clearance for the 8.90-hectare General Pool Residential Accommodation site.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi LG exempts 8.9-hectare site from tree curbs for GPRA
Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena has granted a special area exemption under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, allowing a tree officer to take a decision on 856 trees that may fall in the way of a General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) at Kasturba Nagar Phase-II over an area of 8.9 hectares, according to a gazette notification. Delhi LG VK Saxena. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) The exemption, granted under Section 29 of the Act in 'public interest', formally allows the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to seek permission on from the tree officer. To be sure, tree officers can only take a decision on an area of one hectare, in usual circumstances. The exemption, issued via a gazette notification on June 13 but made public on Sunday, read: '… in public interest, (the LG) exempts an area of 8.90 hectares… from the limitation of maximum one hectare area under sub-section (3) of Section 9 of the said Act for construction of General Pool Residential Accommodation at Kasturba Nagar Phase-II, New Delhi under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994.' This is the fourth instance that the provision has been invoked in recent weeks. Last week, it was applied to a 115.88-hectare construction site for the redevelopment of the New Delhi Railway Station. Prior to that, it was applied to two other sites, pertaining to Common Central Secretariat buildings and a flyover in northeast Delhi. While the exemption clears a key procedural hurdle, it does not constitute approval for cutting or transplanting any trees. It merely enables the designated tree officer to examine an application, which had previously been ineligible for consideration because of the site's size. 'This notification... shall not be considered as permission for transplantation/felling of trees,' the Act states. Upon receiving an application, the tree officer—the deputy conservator of forest (south division) in this case—will independently scrutinise the application, comprising due diligence under the DPTA, the Delhi Preservation of Trees Rules, 1996, and compliance with any court directions. 'The tree officer must apply due diligence and aim to minimise the number of trees affected by the project,' the gazette reads. Section 29 of the DPTA gives power to the government to provide exemption, citing public interest. Section 9(3), meanwhile, allows a tree officer to only consider up to one hectare in area for a project. The exemption essentially allows an area of more than one hectare to be considered by a tree officer. The Kasturba Nagar GPRA project is part of the Centre's plan to redevelop seven GPRA colonies across south Delhi. Of these, three are being handled by NBCC, while CPWD is in charge of four—two of them, Mohammadpur and Thyagraj Nagar, have already been completed. The remaining two—Kasturba Nagar and Srinivaspuri—are under construction. HT reported last month how the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) had, for the second time, rejected the revised proposal for the project after raising concerns over inadequate planning, inefficient land use and poor compliance with its earlier observations. Under Phase 2 of the Kasturba Nagar project, plans are afoot to create over 3,500 housing units in total, an anganwadi, convenience shops, a coaching centre, a banquet hall, a podium and a residential complex comprising 25 towers. In a notification published on June 17, the LG issued an exemption to a 115.88-hectare site for the redevelopment of the New Delhi Railway Station, with 887 trees falling in its way. On June 6, Saxena issued a similar exemption for a 5.037-hectare site at the Common Central Secretariat project, involving 476 trees. A day earlier, he cleared a 2.16-hectare stretch for a flyover at the Nand Nagri–Gagan Cinema junction, where 27 trees are affected. Opposition parties, however, criticised the move. Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav called the decision an 'environmental disaster'. 'This is a double blow to both the environment and social justice. The soul of Delhi resides in its slums, and its breath comes from its trees, and if both are destroyed, Delhi will face an existential crisis,' Yadav said. The BJP did not respond to a request for comment.
Mint
19 hours ago
- Mint
UGC NET June 2025: Documents to carry, reporting time at exam centre, admit card details; check guidelines
The admit cards for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) scheduled for June 25 are out. The National Testing Agency (NTA) released it earlier today, in addition to exam city slips for June 25, 26 and 27 examinations. The exams will take place till June 29 for different subjects in two shifts. Check guidelines, other important things before going to the centre. A printed copy of the Admit Card, downloaded from the NTA website. 2. One passport-sized photograph (identical to the one uploaded in the Online Application Form) to be affixed in the designated space on the Attendance Sheet at the centre. 3. Any one of the following original, valid, and non-expired photo identification documents: PAN Card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhaar Card (with photograph), or e-Aadhaar. The name on the ID must exactly match the name on the Admit Card. 4. PwD certificate issued by a Competent Authority, if seeking relaxation under the PwD category. Candidates must report to the Examination Centre at least two hours before the scheduled start of the examination to ensure timely completion of frisking and registration formalities. 2. The registration desk will close 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam. 3. Entry to the Examination Centre will not be allowed after the time specified on the Admit Card. 4. Candidates are also advised to be present in the Examination Hall/Room at the time mentioned in the Admit Card. 2. Public Administration 3. Indian Knowledge System 6. Labour Welfare / HRM / Industrial Relations / Social Welfare 8. Tribal and Regional Language/Literature 11. Environmental Sciences 2. Japanese 4. Mass Communication and Journalism 6. Performing Arts (Dance/Drama/Theatre) 9. Library and Information Science The NTA has issued helpline number 011-40759000 available in case of CBT related queries. Candidates appearing for the June 25 examination can visit the official website- to download it. Go to the official website 2. Click on the link that states UGC NET June 2025 Admit Card on homepage 3. Mention the required login details like your application number and date of birth. 4. Your admit card will display on the screen.
