WORKSHOP ON PRESERVATION OF TREES

• Section:    DPTA

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The pressures of exponential population growth coupled with the consequential urban growth and infrastructure development the forests in NCT of Delhi had dwindled to a mere 22 sq km in 1993. This rampant deforestation eventually manifested in the devastating environmental degradation of the city. Hence, in order to protect and preserve the trees and thereby safeguard the environment, the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA) was passed on 12th October 1994 by the legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Under the provision of this Act a Tree Authority had been established for governing all the issues related to tree preservation and conservation in whole National Capital Territory of Delhi.

• Section:    DPTA

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During recent times the issues of greater demand for removal of trees vis-a-versa increased numbers of development projects due to rapid urbanization in the city start come on the scene. Concerns were raised as the ecological value of a fully grown tree cannot be matched by planting even 10 new saplings, which was the existing norm. Therefore, considering the requests for removal of large number of trees, and to make every possible effort to save the trees affected by developmental activities in Delhi, various forest experts, came together and proposed to comprehensively revise the norms for compensatory plantation as applicable under the relevant provisions of the DPTA, 1994. The objective of the revised norms was to discourage tree felling altogether and ensuring maximum likelihood of survival of existing trees through scientific transplantation. In light of the aforementioned ground, the Department of Forests and Wildlife, Govt. of NCT of Delhi notified “Tree Transplantation Policy 2020”, on 24.12.2020. This was a pioneer move yet again emphasizing the pro-sustainable development stance of the Government. The philosophy of the policy is to promote sustainable infrastructure development by incorporating the principle of an ecologically viable planning for major development projects. The major objective of the policy says, trees should be properly preserved and no trees should be unnecessarily removed in development projects. Trees that are suitable for preservation should be identified in the planning or feasibility stage and should be properly preserved through careful and proper planning, design, implementation and post construction maintenance. Transplantation or felling of trees should be considered only and only if on-site preservation is not possible. A decision to transplant a tree should be taken based on a balancing consideration of its conditions (e.g. form, health and structure), size, species, conservation status, amenity value, suitability for transplanting, environmental and cultural factors, functional and engineering considerations and cost effectiveness.

• Section:    DPTA

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