‘Number 01’ tree causing ‘security hindrance in VVIP route’ in Parliament, to be transplanted soon

The transplantation has not yet started and is expected to begin soon. As per sources, the work could not be taken up while the Monsoon Session of the Parliament was underway.

The tree, about seven years old, will be moved to Prerna Sthal, which houses statues of national leaders, inside the Parliament complex.
According to Forest department officials, the site was inspected on July 21 to check if a transplantation is necessary. The tree was found to be obstructing the VVIP route.

In its order, the Forest department noted, “…it was found that the tree is causing security hindrance in the VVIP route in Parliament House, New Delhi and the SPG also requested for transplantation for the same tree.”

In an official communication on July 16, the Parliament Security Service had underlined, “As requested by the SPG, a tree near Gaj Dwar, Parliament House, is causing security hindrance in the VVIP Route which may kindly be removed at the earliest as per procedure.”

Following the request, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) applied for permission and deposited a security amount of Rs 57,000 with the Delhi Forest department. The nod to transplant it has been granted under Section 9 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. The department has said that this is the only tree approved for transplantation.

The order stated, “Transplantation of any tree apart from ‘Number 01’ tree by the User Agency shall constitute an offence under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and in case of violation of any terms and conditions, the permission issued will be withdrawn with immediate effect.”

The CPWD has been asked to plant 10 native saplings — including Neem, Amaltas, Peepal and Bargad — at the site and maintain them for seven years. Each sapling will be geo-tagged, and annual progress reports will have to be filed. If the plantation fails, the Forest Department will raise the missing saplings from the security deposit.

A senior forest official told The Indian Express, “It is a normal procedure. All the rules need to be followed by the agencies.”

Editor's Choice

‘History of overlooking history’: Jaishankar says US and Pakistan indulge in ‘politics of convenience’

Florida road crash: Tarn Taran family reacts after social backlash against arrested truck driver Harjinder Singh

‘Not had a US President who conducts foreign policy as publicly as Trump’: Jaishankar hits out at US tariff, says talks on, ‘lines not cut’