Delhi Government to Formulate New Tree Pruning Guidelines after Court Ruling

Under the current guidelines, the Delhi government permits the regular pruning of tree branches with a girth up to 15.7 cm without the need for seeking permission from the tree officer. However, the court ruling emphasized that tree pruning should strictly adhere to the Delhi Protection of Trees (DPT) Act, which necessitates obtaining mandatory permission from the designated tree officer.

Speaking to reporters during an interaction, Minister Rai acknowledged the challenges faced by both the general public and government agencies due to overgrown trees. He expressed concern that such issues could lead to unfortunate incidents, especially during inclement weather. To address this matter effectively, the government has planned a meeting in August with various stakeholders, including experts, resident welfare associations, environmentalists, and concerned citizens, to gather their valuable insights and opinions before revising the tree pruning guidelines.

Additionally, Rai emphasized the government's commitment to comprehensively address the problem of concretization around trees, which weakens their root systems and renders them susceptible to uprooting. Notably, the National Green Tribunal had already imposed a ban on concretization within a one-meter radius of tree trunks back in 2013. However, proper implementation of this measure in the city is still pending, and the government aims to take proactive steps to enforce it effectively.

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Furthermore, the Environment Minister shared exciting news about the upcoming 'urban farming' initiative, which is set to be launched in September. This ambitious initiative aims to encourage citizens to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and other plants on terraces and rooftops, thus countering the issue of diminishing green spaces caused by rapid urbanization and rising population density.

The 'urban farming' initiative comes as a response to the pressing need to promote sustainability and ecological balance in the city. By actively involving citizens in this green endeavor, the government hopes to create a more eco-friendly and self-sufficient urban environment.

As the city looks forward to the formulation of new tree pruning guidelines and the imminent launch of the 'urban farming' initiative, Delhiites remain optimistic about the positive impact these measures will have on preserving the city's green cover and enhancing its environmental resilience.

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