What is a tree? Delhi Forest dept clarifies in circular

“In order to obviate any ambiguity and to secure uniformity in application of the statutory provisions, the statutory definition of “tree” as per Section 2 (i) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994 is reiterated…”

The legal definition should be followed in letter and spirit, the circular emphasised. It added that any misinterpretation of the legal definition like counting the branches as separate trees should be avoided.

A senior forest official said, “In general branches are never counted as trees. This clarification was necessary to rule out any such possibility”

Earlier, trees like kikar and babool, which have multiple branches emerging from the ground, were counted as separate trees, as per a forest department official. The official said that shoots emerging from the soil would be counted as separate trees. The official communication, however, has now clarified that shoots or branches cannot be counted as separate trees.

This clarification is also significant because as per an SOP for pruning of trees under the DPTA, removal of “undesirable and dangerous branches” along the road, railway line, metro, RRTS, footpath, cycle, etc., to avoid fatal accidents has been considered essential. “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,” the SOP states.

(with PTI inputs)