Tree laws tough on paper, but not on the ground
NEW DELHI: Delhi probably has some of the most exhaustive set of rules
for trees. It is not alright to cut a tree if it is blocking the sun and
it is not fine to chop one off because it may be attracting insects or
noisy birds. If the offence is discovered, and such cases are coming to
light more frequently because of ever-active tree activists, you might
find yourself in jail.
The plight befell a Vasant Kunj RWA president when he allegedly had an entire patch of trees cleared for making a parking lot. "So far it has been impossible to make people and civic agencies understand there are procedures for cutting or pruning trees. When we permit light pruning, heavy pruning or lopping is done. There is a tree helpline and our contact details are on the forest department website. If a contractor is unable to produce a permission letter, we urge people to report the matter to us," said a forest department official.
Aditya Prasad recently filed a case in the National Green Tribunal asking for implementation of rules regarding concretization around tree . "The rule has been in place since 2007 but trees are being choked rampantly in violation of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The case is up for hearing on April 23," he said.
A tree authority was set up in Delhi in 2007 but despite its presence, violations continue unabated. It has in fact not met in the last six months though it is supposed to come together every three months.
"Government agencies and Delhi Metro are responsible for the maximum number of trees being felled in the name of development projects," said an activist.
The plight befell a Vasant Kunj RWA president when he allegedly had an entire patch of trees cleared for making a parking lot. "So far it has been impossible to make people and civic agencies understand there are procedures for cutting or pruning trees. When we permit light pruning, heavy pruning or lopping is done. There is a tree helpline and our contact details are on the forest department website. If a contractor is unable to produce a permission letter, we urge people to report the matter to us," said a forest department official.
Aditya Prasad recently filed a case in the National Green Tribunal asking for implementation of rules regarding concretization around tree . "The rule has been in place since 2007 but trees are being choked rampantly in violation of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The case is up for hearing on April 23," he said.
A tree authority was set up in Delhi in 2007 but despite its presence, violations continue unabated. It has in fact not met in the last six months though it is supposed to come together every three months.
"Government agencies and Delhi Metro are responsible for the maximum number of trees being felled in the name of development projects," said an activist.
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