## Report on Standard Operating Procedure for Tending and Pruning of Trees in Delhi
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a new policy issued by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi regarding the tending and pruning of trees within its jurisdiction. The policy establishes a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, to ensure the scientific management of trees, particularly in public spaces, while minimizing risks to public safety and property. Key provisions involve online application processes for pruning permission, stipulations regarding tree girth and location, and assignment of responsibilities to relevant agencies and landowners. The policy aims to balance environmental preservation with public safety and aesthetic considerations.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the new "Standard Operating Procedure for Tending and Pruning of Trees under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994" as notified by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on May 2, 2025. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* Core Objective(s): The core objectives of this policy, as inferred from the provided text, are:
* To establish a standardized procedure for the tending and pruning of trees within Delhi.
* To promote the scientific management of trees.
* To minimize threats and dangers to the public and property resulting from uncontrolled tree growth.
* To maintain and enhance the aesthetic value of the environment.
* To maintain a healthy ecosystem and promote biodiversity.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* New Policy: This policy addresses the need for a consistent and efficient system for managing trees in Delhi, a city with significant green cover. The text suggests that prior to this policy, there was a lack of standardized procedures, potentially leading to inconsistent practices, public safety hazards, and damage to property. The growing green spaces necessitates an efficient and foolproof system for managing these trees.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* Detail the main components, rules, and actions mandated by the *entire provided text*. What does the policy establish or require?
* **Online Application for Pruning:** Individuals, civic agencies, government agencies, RWAs, companies, and organizations must apply online via the eForest portal (https:www.dpta.eforest.delhi.gov.in) for permission to prune trees with a girth equal to or more than 15.7 cm. The application must include geo-referenced photographs of the tree.
* **Response Time:** Tree Officers are required to communicate their decision (permission or otherwise) within 7 working days of receiving a complete application.
* **Exemption for Light Pruning:** No permission is required from the Tree Officer for general tending and light pruning of branches with a girth less than 15.7cm. However, photographs of such pruning must be uploaded to the eForest portal.
* **Agency Responsibilities:** MCD, NDMC, DDA, PWD, CPWD, ASI, and Delhi Cantt, or other government agency can conduct tending and light pruning of trees in public spaces or within their building premises that pose a danger to life, property, or traffic, irrespective of tree girth. These agencies must conduct such activities under the supervision of a senior horticulture officer.
* **Notification Requirement:** Agencies conducting pruning activities as outlined above must inform the Tree Officer with geo-referenced before-and-after photographs/videos.
* **Landowner Responsibility:** Tending and pruning must be done by the land owner/landowning agency as per guidelines formulated by the State Government. If the applicant is not the landowner, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landowner is required.
* **Scientific Pruning:** All pruning must be carried out in a scientific manner under the expert supervision of a Horticulturist.
* **Timber Disposal:** Cut timber should be sent to the nearest crematorium by the institutions, agencies govt. departments.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders for this policy include:
* Individuals.
* Civic agencies.
* Government agencies (including MCD, NDMC, DDA, PWD, CPWD, ASI, Delhi Cantt, and others).
* Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).
* Companies and organizations.
* Landowners and landowning agencies.
* Horticulturists and arborists.
* Tree Officers (DCFs).
* General public.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* Responsible agency/bodies mentioned: The key bodies responsible for implementation include:
* Department of Forests and Wildlife, GNCTD (overall oversight).
* Tree Officers (DCFs) responsible for processing applications and granting permissions.
* Landowners/landowning agencies responsible for carrying out the pruning activities.
* Government agencies (MCD, NDMC, etc.) responsible for managing trees in public spaces.
* Timelines or procedures specified: The policy specifies a timeline of 7 working days for Tree Officers to respond to complete pruning applications. It also outlines the online application procedure via the eForest portal.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of this policy, based on its stated provisions, are:
* Improved public safety by reducing the risk of accidents caused by overgrown or damaged trees.
* Enhanced protection of property by preventing damage from falling branches.
* Improved maintenance of infrastructure (roads, power lines, etc.) by managing tree growth near these assets.
* Greater efficiency and transparency in the tree pruning permission process through the online application system.
* Promotion of scientific tree management practices to ensure the health and longevity of trees.
* An enhanced aesthetic environment in Delhi through proper tree tending and pruning.
**9. Conclusion:**
The "Standard Operating Procedure for Tending and Pruning of Trees under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994" represents a significant step towards the systematic and scientific management of Delhi's urban forest. By establishing clear procedures, assigning responsibilities, and leveraging technology, the policy aims to balance environmental conservation with public safety and aesthetic considerations. The implementation of this policy will likely lead to a safer, more attractive, and sustainable urban environment for the residents of Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA: The governing body issuing the notification.
DELHI: Location of the Gazette publication; refers to the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
MAY 19, 2025: Date of the Delhi Gazette publication.
VAISAKHA 29, 1947: Date of the Delhi Gazette publication according to the Indian national calendar.
N. C. T. D.: Abbreviation for National Capital Territory of Delhi.
GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI: The specific government within India responsible for the policy.
Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994: The primary legislation governing tree preservation in Delhi, India.
DPTA: Abbreviation for Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
Standard Operating Procedure SOP: Procedure for tending and pruning of trees under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act DPTA, 1994.
Section 33 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994: The specific section of the act granting powers related to the notified procedure.
eForest portal: Online portal for applications related to tree pruning permissions (https:www.dpta.eforest.delhi.gov.in).
MCD: Likely refers to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, a local governing body.
NDMC: Likely refers to the New Delhi Municipal Council, a local governing body.
DDA: Likely refers to the Delhi Development Authority, a planning agency.
PWD: Likely refers to the Public Works Department.
CPWD: Likely refers to the Central Public Works Department.
ASIDelhi Cantt: Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi Cantonment
Section 8 of the DPTA 1994: Reference to a section within the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
GNCTD: Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi
Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi: Official whose name the order is issued.
A.K. SINGH: Principal Secretary Environment & Forests.
DCFs: Deputy Conservator of Forests
Kamla Nehru Ridge: Office Address of Deputy Conservator of Forests, Central Forest Division Delhi
Alipur: Office Address of Deputy Conservator of Forests, North Forest Division
Birla Mandir: Office Address of Deputy Conservator of Forests, West Forest Division
Tughlakabad: Office Address of Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Forest Division
4 Deputy Conservator of Forests: Number of Deputy Conservator of Forests
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33002/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99
भारत सरकार
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
एस.जी.-डी.एxलxx.-GअID.-H2x2xx0 52025-263286
SG-DLxx-ExG-2ID2E0x5x2x0 25-263286
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 155] दिल्ली, सोमवार, मई 19, 2025/विै ाख 29, 1947 [रा.रा.रा.क्षे.दि. स.ं 58
No. 155] DELHI, MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025/VAISAKHA 29, 1947 [N. C. T. D. No. 58
भाग IV
PART IV
राष्ट्रीय रािधानी राज्य क्षत्रे दिल्ली सरकार
GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
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DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS & WILDLIFE
NOTIFICATION
Delhi, the 2nd May, 2025
F.8(204)/FOREST/HQ/PLG.-II/DPTA/2022-23/1424.—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 33
of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, in public
interest, hereby, notifies “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tending and pruning of trees under Delhi
Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994”
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TENDING AND PRUNING OF TREES UNDER DELHI
PRESERVATION OF TREES ACT, 1994.
Delhi is one of the greenest capital cities in the world with a large area under avenue plantation, ridge forest,
biodiversity parks, floodplain plantation, huge parks in residential areas across the city, city forest, etc. This green
cover has consistently increased due to sincere and continued efforts of greening agencies of central & state
governments including community participation.
In the development path of Delhi, green area development has always been a priority and sincere efforts have
been made in this regard resulting in expansion of green spaces in the city. With this growth in green spaces, there is a
continuous and sustained need to have an efficient and foolproof system for scientific management of trees
particularly in public spaces like roads, parks, residential/ commercial/ institutional areas, heritage buildings etc which
are regularly frequented/ inhabited by a large number of people.
The pruning of trees is a horticultural and silvicultural practice, involving cutting of or removing living or
dead parts or branches of a tree to improve vigour of growth of desired parts, improve shape of tree and/ or for
reducing risk from falling of dead / broken branches, thus to promote scientific management of trees by following the
best silvicultural practices without damaging the tree.
Tending and pruning of trees is not only important for its growth, shape, size but it is also imperative for
minimising threat and danger to the public due to its uncontrolled and unregulated spread. At the same time, this
essential activity enhances the aesthetics of the area and safety & security of life and property.
Tending and pruning of trees is also essential due to following reasons-
(a) Removal of undesirable and dangerous branches along the road, railway line, metro, RRTS, footpath, cycle
track, traffic lights, signages, right of way etc obscuring line of sight of motorists, driver, cyclists, pedestrians
etc to avoid fatal accidents.
(b) Regular pruning of trees to maintain acceptable clearance from overhead electric wires/ cables to avoid
electrical fire and other hazards.
(c) Tending and pruning of trees is essential to save buildings, houses, properties etc from damage which can be
caused by dead, hanging and detached twigs / branches of trees.
(d) Removing the branches of trees blocking street lights/high mast light which is necessary to maintain
illumination around it and also an essential component for safety and security of people.
(e) In case of invasion of pests and diseases, removal of dead or insect-carrying twigs and branches becomes
essential in order to eliminate proliferation of pests and diseases;
(f) Removal of weak branches and undesirable shoots originating from the tree base allow growth of new
branches and fruits on healthy parts of the tree which act as reserve foods for birds, animals;
(g) Tending and pruning allow penetration of more sunlight, a source of vitamin D. Sunlight is also essential for
the growth of small shrubs and grasses beneath a tree to promote a healthy ecosystem and add to the
biodiversity.[PART IV DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY 5
(h) Tending and pruning becomes inevitable when a tree becomes weak and can’t withstand strong wind
conditions. Pruning of overcrowded branches reduces the weight of the tree. This is essential particularly
when the root anchorage of the tree is not firm or when the root system is disturbed or weakened due to any
reason.
In view of absolute necessity for safety and security of the people, keeping in mind the provision, intent and
purpose of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi considers it
expedient to issue directions by the powers vested in it under Section 33 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994
for tending and pruning of trees in specific cases.
The following directions shall be called as “Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with Tending and
Pruning of Tree(s) under section 33 of the ‘Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994’, 2025”-
1. If any Individual/ civic agency/ government agency/ RWA/ company/ organisation etc finds that
twigs/branches/shoots/roots of any tree(s), which are having girth equal to or more than 15.7 cm, are required
to be pruned in circumstances enumerated above, then applicant can apply online for the pruning of same on
e-Forest portal (https://www.dpta.eforest.delhi.gov.in) along with their geo-referenced photographs(for each
tree separately) to the concerned Tree Officer for the permission. Permission or otherwise will be
communicated by tree officer to the applicant within 7 working days from the date of receipt of complete
application after following due process.
2. No permission will be required from the Tree Officer, for general tending and light pruning where branches
to be pruned are having girth less than 15.7cm. Photographs of such pruning will be uploaded on the e-forest
portal.
3. If the tree(s) for which pruning is required is standing in public spaces like road, footpath, street, park etc of
MCD/ NDMC/ DDA/ PWD/ CPWD/ASI/Delhi Cantt etc or in building/premise of any government agency
and is posing danger to life, property or traffic, then such agencies can proceed for tending/light pruning
themselves, irrespective of the girth, in supervision of their senior horticulture officer and inform to the Tree
Officer with geo-referenced before and after photographs/ video of such tree(s) in harmony with provisions
of Section 8 of the DPTA 1994.
General Instructions:
i. Tending and Pruning of Trees has to be done by the land owner/ land-owning agency as per guideline
formulated by the State Government.
ii. NOC from the land owner(s), if applicant is not the land owner.
iii. The Department of Forests & Wildlife, GNCTD does not get the trees tended or pruned directly but only
accords the tree pruning permission to the land - owner / land-owning agency after due inspection.
iv. The Tree Officer will accept application(s) only through e-forest portal of the Department of Forests &
Wildlife, GNCTD by the land owner / land owning agency and application submitted in any other form
will not be accepted.
v. Any kind of pruning of the tree(s) must be carried out in a scientific manner so that it does not damage
the tree(s). Pruning must be done by the land-owning agency in the expert supervision of a
Horticulturist.
These directions shall supersede all earlier guidelines / directions issued in this regard.
By Order and in the Name of the Lt. Governor
of the National Capital Territory of Delhi
A.K. SINGH, Principal Secretary (Environment & Forests)
ANNEXURE-I
A. JURISDICTION OF TREE OFFICERS:
As on date there are four (4) Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCFs), who are designated as Tree Officers, to facilitate
processing of online applications on e-Forest portal for tree pruning and to accord permissions for the same, after due
inspections, as per merit of the case. As per this office Notification dated 20.01.2021, their respective jurisdictions in
Delhi are shown in table below.
Office of Tree Officers / DCFs Office Address Name of Revenue
Districts
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Central Forest Kamla Nehru Ridge, North - East6 DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART IV]
Division Delhi-110007. East
Email - Shahdara
dcfcentral-gnctd@delhi.gov.in
Central
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Campus of MGICCC, Alipur, North
North Forest Division Bakoli, Delhi-110036.
North - West
Email - dcfnorth.gnctd@delhi.gov.in
West
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mandir Lane, Birla Mandir, Delhi- South - West
West Forest Division 110060.
Email - dcfwest.gnctd@gov.in
New Delhi
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Shooting Range, Tughlakabad, South
South Forest Division New Delhi-110044.
Email - dcfsouth.delhi@gov.in
South - East
B. DISPOSAL OF TIMBER, LOPS & TOPS:-
All lops & tops are required to be sent to nearest crematorium by the institutions / agencies / govt. departments.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.