Forest dept issues tree pruning SOPs
New Delhi: Delhi govt's department of forests has recently issued a circular specifying the standard operating procedure (SOP) for pruning trees under the
Delhi Preservation of Trees Act
(DPTA).
A forest official said that the SOPs were issued to avoid confusion. "A gazette notification.... shall follow," stated a circular issued on May 2.
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"Considering so many tree branches were damaged in the recent thunderstorm, the civic bodies have been asked to carry out pruning according to norms and requirements. However, for pruning branches measuring 15.7cm girth and more, the civic bodies will need permission from the department," the official said.
Residents pointed out that for a long time, municipal authorities avoided pruning, citing
Delhi High Court
directions as a reason. "However, with the new directives in place, we expect the authorities to start the necessary pruning immediately," a resident in East of Kailash said.
Delhi High Court had showcaused the deputy conservator of forests in Dec 2024 for allowing pruning without inspection or reason. Bhavreen Khandaria, an environmental expert, said the court took cognizance due to extensive pruning. "Pruning is a technical and scientific process. Ideally, frontline staff should first be sensitised and trained," she said. "In other countries, such tasks are approached with great care.... If pruning is carried out without strict compliance and without the involvement of the designated tree officer, we risk losing healthy trees," Khandaria added.
Experts have also repeatedly objected to the allowance for pruning branches up to 15.7 cm in diameter, a figure that continues to appear in the new SOPs despite lacking any clear scientific justification.
As per the SOPs: "While no permission will be required from the tree officer for general tending and light pruning, where branches to be pruned have a girth less than 15.7 cm, photographs of such pruning will be uploaded on the forest portal. If any individual, civic agency, govt agency, RWA, organisation, etc., finds that branches which have a girth equal to or more than 15.7 cm are required to be pruned, then the applicant can apply online on the e-forest portal with a geo-referred photograph to the tree officer for permission. The permission will be communicated within seven working days," the circular said.
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