DELHI PRESERVATION OF TREES ACT 1994 .pdf

Detailed description of delhi preservation tree act ,delhi,1994

1. TrainingofDevelopmentagenciesand
enforcementagenciesinDelhionprovisionsof
DelhiPreservationofTreesAct,1994

2. DELHI PRESERVATION
OF TREES ACT, 1994
An Act to provide for the preservation of
trees in the National Capital Territory of
Delhi

3. Preamble and its
importance
“
An Act to provide for the preservation of
trees in the National Capital Territory of
Delhi
”
ðThis is most important principle for decision making
whenever there is ambiguity in interpretation of
sections in the Act.

4. Definition of tree
ð(i)"tree"meansanywoodyplant whose
branchesspringfromandaresupported
uponatrunkorbodyandwhose trunkor
bodyisnotlessthanfivecentimetresin
diameterataheightofthirtycentimetres
fromthegroundlevelandis notlessthan
onemetreinheightfromtheground
level;
1
2
4

6. Y
N
N
N

7. Definition of Felling
Section2(h):"tofellatree"withits
cognateexpression,means severing
thetrunkfromtheroots, uprooting
thetreeandincludes bulldozing,
cutting,girdling,lopping,pollarding,
applyingarboricides, burningor
damaging atreeinanyother
manner;

8. Pruning

9. Concretisation of trees
Orderdated23.04.2013passedby
Hon’bleNGTinO.A.82/2013titled,
“A.N.Prasadvs.GNCTD”
DirectionNo.1oftheNGT:
ð
Allthesignboards,names,
advertisements,anykindofboardsor
signages,electrichightensioncables
orotherwiseareremovedfromthe
treesforthwith.

10. Direction No.2 of NGT
ð
Theyshallalsoensurethattheconcrete
surroundingthetreeswithinonemetreofthe
treesareremovedforthwithandallthetrees
arelookedafterwellanddueprecautionis
takeninfuturesothatnoconcreteor
constructionorrepairingworkisdoneatleast
withinonemetreradiusofthetrunkoftrees.
TheVice-Chairperson,theCommissioner,the
ChiefEngineer,theDirectorGeneralandall
otherseniormostofficersofthe
Departments/authoritiesconcernedshallbe
personallyresponsibleforcarryingoutthis
order.

11. Direction No. 3 & 4 of the NGT
ð
TheDepartmentsandauthorities
concernedshalltakeallandevery
probihibitivemeasurestopreventthe
defacingofthetreesinanymanner
whatsoever,saveonlyitstrimmingin
accordancewithlaw.
ð
Alltherespondentswhoseboardsare
fixedonthetreesshallbeprosecutedby
therespectiveauthoritiesunderin
accordancewiththerelevantlaw.

12. OperativepartofGeneralNoticedated
24.06.2019issuedbytheForestDepartment
ð
Concretizationaroundtreesnotonly
hampersrootaerationbutalsothe
percolationofwaterwhichcouldultimately
leadtodeathofthetree.Thus,itisagain
broughttothenoticeofallGovt.
DepartmentsunderGNCTDandGeneral
Publicthatconcretizationoftreesnotonly
damagesthetree,itisalsoanoffenceunder
Section8ofDelhiPreservationofTreesAct,
1994.Inadditionitwillalsoamountto
contemptofcourtbeingviolationofHon'ble
NGTsorders.

13. .
ð
Sinceconcretizationaroundtreesleadstodamageof
therootsystemofthetreewhichultimatelyleadstoits
deathsoanareaof6'x6'shouldbeleftde-concretized
aroundthebaseofthetreewhileconstructionofthe
pavementsorroadstofacilitatepercolationofwaterto
theroots.Theareashouldbeleveledwithearth/soiland
grassmaybeplanted,ifneedbe.Itisalsosuggestedto
discourageconcretization/tilingofcentralvergeofthe
roads/pathways.AllCivicAgencies,Govt.Departments,
RWAsmayplease ensureremovalofallthesignboards,
names,advertisements,anykindofboardsorsignages,
electricwiresandhightensioninsulatedcablesetc .
placedontrees.Thetreeswhicharealready
concretizedshouldbede-concretizedmanuallywithout
useofICBmachinesetc sothattherootsarenot
damaged.Duringfreshconstructionofroads/
pavements,theGovt. Departmentsmayaddafresh
clauseintheirtenderdocumentsthat6'X6'areaaround
thetreesshallbeleftde-concretized/soilfilled.

14. Tree Officer
ð
2.(j)"TreeOfficer"meansaforestofficer
appointedassuchbytheGovernmentfor
thepurposesofthisAct;
ðThereare5TreeofficersnotifiedinDelhi:
JurisdictionDesignationS. No.
DelhiConservator of Forest 1.
North DelhiDeputy Conservator of
Forests/Tree Officer (North)
2.
West DelhiDeputy Conservator of
Forests/Tree Officer (West)
3.
South DelhiDeputy Conservator of
Forests/Tree Officer (South)
4.
CentralDelhiDeputy Conservator of
Forests/Tree Officer (Central)
5.

15. Tree Authority
•Constituted under section 3 Of DPTA,1994
•ConstitutionofTreeAuthority:-
(1)TheGovernmentshall,bynotification,constitutea
TreeAuthorityforthewholeoftheNationalCapital
TerritoryofDelhi.
(2)TheTreeAuthorityshallconsistofthefollowing
members,namely(a)SecretaryofForests(b)Deputy
Commissioner,Delhi(c)TwoMembersoftheLegislative
AssemblyDominatedbytheGovernment(d)Two
Representativesofthelocalbodiesnominatedbythe
Government(e)DeputyConservatorofForests
(3)TheTreeAuthoritymayco-optasmembersinsuch
mannerandforsuchperiodasitmaydeterminenot
morethanfiverepresentativesofnon-official
organisationsandGovernmentDepartmentshaving
specialknowledgeorpracticalexperienceinthe
preservationoftrees.

16. Section 7: Duties of Tree Authority
ðNotwithstandinganythingcontainedin
anyotherlawforthetimebeinginforce,
theTreeAuthorityshall,subjecttoany
generalorspecialorderofthe
Government,beresponsiblefor:-
ð(a)thepreservationofalltreeswithinits
jurisdiction;
ð(b)carryingoutcensusoftheexisting
treesandobtaining,whenever
considerednecessary,declarationsfrom
allownersoroccupantsaboutthe
numberoftreesintheirlands;

17. Section 7
ð(c)developmentandmaintenanceof
nurseries,supplyofseeds,saplingsand
treestopersons,whoarerequiredto
plantnewtreesortoreplacetreeswhich
havebeenfelled;
ð(d)gettingplantingandtransplantingof
treesnecessitatedbyconstructionof
buildings,newroadsorwideningof
existingroadsorreplacementoftrees
whichhavefailedtocomeupalong
roadsorforsafeguardingdangeroflife
andproperty;

18. Section 7
ð(e)organizationofdemonstrationsandextension
servicesforthepurposesofthisActandassisting
privateandpublicinstitutionisconnectedwith
plantingandpreservationoftrees;
ð(f)undertakingsuchschemesormeasures asmay
bedirectedfromtime-to-timebytheGovernment
forachievingtheobjectsofthisAct;
ð(g)undertakingcriticalstudyoftheproposals of
variousgovernmentdepartmentsandprivate
bodiesforconstructionofbuildings,roads,
factories,irrigationworks,layingoutofelectric,
telephone,telegraphandothertransmissionlines
withregardtoprotectionofexistingtreesand
plantingofmoretrees,whereverpossible.

19. Section 8: Restrictions on felling and
removal of trees
ðNotwithstandinganythingcontainedinany
otherlawforthetimebeinginforceorinany
customorusageorcontractandexceptas
providedinthisActortherulesmade
thereunder,nopersonshallfellorremoveor
disposeofanytreeorforestproduceinany
land,whetherinhisownershiporoccupancy
orotherwise,exceptwiththe previous
permissionoftheTreeOfficer:
ðProvidedthatifthetreeisnotimmediately
felled,therewouldbegravedangertolifeor
propertyortraffic,theowneroftheland
maytakeimmediateactiontofellsuchtree
andreportthefacttotheTreeOfficerwithin
twenty-fourhoursofsuchfelling

20. Where to submit
information?

21. Section9:Procedureforobtaining
permissiontofell,cut,removeor
disposeof,atree
ð(1)Anypersondesiringtofellorremoveor
otherwisedisposeof,byanymeans,atree,
shallmakeanapplicationtotheconcerned
TreeOfficerforpermissionandsuch
applicationshallbeaccompaniedby
attestedcopiesofsuchdocumentsasmay
beprescribedinsupportofownershipover
theland,(henumberandkindoftreestobe
cut,theirgirthmeasureataheightof1.85
metresfromgroundlevelandthereasons
therefore,copyofsajrashowingclearlythe
siteandkhasranumbersoftheproperty
.

22. Section 9
ð(2)Onreceiptoftheapplication,theTreeOfficer
may,afterinspectingthetreeandholdingsuch
enquiryashemaydeemnecessary, eithergrant
permissioninwholeorinpartorforreasonstobe
recordedinwriting,refusepermission :Provided
thatsuchpermissionmaynotberefusedifthe
tree-
(i)isdead,diseasedorwindfallen;or
(ii)issilviculturallymature,provideditdoesnot
occuronasteepslop;or
(iii)constitutesadangertolifeorproperty;or
(iv)constitutesobstructiontotraffic;or

23. Section 9
(v)issubstantiallydamagedordestroyedby
fire,lightening,rainorothernaturalcauses;
or
(vi)isrequiredinruralareastobecutwitha
viewtoappropriatingthewoodorleaves
thereof,oranypartthereofforbonefideuse
forfuel,fodder,agriculturalimplementsor
otherdomesticuse.

24. Section 9
ð(3)TheTreeOfficershallgivehisdecision within
sixtydaysfromthedateofreceiptofthe
application:
Providedthatnopermissionshallbegrantedto
anypersonfromthesameareaon morethan
twooccasionsduringthesameyear subjecttoa
maximumareaofonehectareatatime .
ð(4)IftheTreeOfficerfailstocommunicatehis
permissiononrequestwithintheperiodspecified
undersub-section(3),thepermissionreferredtoin
section8,shallbe deemedtohavebeen
granted.
ð(5)EverypermissiongrantedunderthisActshall
beinsuchformandsubjecttosuchconditions,
includingtakingofsecurityforensuring
regenerationoftheareaandreplantingoftrees
orotherwise,asmaybeprescribed.

25. Section 10: Obligation to plant trees
ðEveryperson,whoisgrantedpermission
underthisActtofellordisposeofanytree,
shallbeboundtoplantsuchnumberand
kindoftreesintheareafromwhichthetree
isfelledordisposedofbyhimundersuch
permissionasmaybedirectedbytheTree
Officer:
ProvidedthattheTreeOfficermay,for
reasonstoberecordedinwriting,permit
lessernumberoftreestobeplantedor
treestobeplantedinanydifferentareaor
exemptanypersonfromtheobligationto
plantortendanytree.

26. Section 11: Preservation of trees
ð(1)Subjecttotheprovisionsofsection13,itshallbe
thedutyoftheowneroftheland tocomplywithan
ordermadeundersection9,oradirectionissued
undersection10andtoplanttreesinaccordance
withsuchanorderordirectionandtoensurethatthey
growwellandarewellpreserved.
ð(2)Alltheownersshalleffectivelyprotectalllandsor
treesgrowinginthelandsortheareasundertheir
controlandwheretheTreeOfficerisoftheopinion
thatadequatemeasureshavenotbeentakento
protectthetreesfromanydamage,hemaydirect
theownertotakesuchmeasuresasareconsidered
necessarytoprotecttreesfromdamage.
ðIncaseofdefault,theTreeOfficermayhimself
arrangesuchmeasuresandrecovertheexpenditure
thereonfromtheownerintheprescribedmanner.

27. Section12:Implementationofordermadeor
directiongivenundersections9and10and
recoveryofexpenditureonfailuretocomply
withthem
ð(1)Everypersonwhoisunderanobligationtoplanttrees
underanordermadeundersection9oradirectiongiven
undersection10shallstartpreparatoryworkwithinthirty
daysofthedateofreceiptoftheorderordirections,as
thecasemaybe,andshallplanttreesinaccordancewith
suchorderordirectionintheensuingorfollowingrainy
seasonorwithinsuchextendedtimeastheTreeOfficer
mayallowandshall provideadequateandeffective
protectiontothetreesthatexistorareplantedintheland
ortheareafromanydamage.
ð(2)Incaseofdefaultbysuchperson,theTreeOfficermay
causetreestobeplantedandmayrecoverthecostof
plantationfromsuchpersonintheprescribedmanner.

28. Section 13: Adoption of trees
ðNotwithstandinganythingcontainedinthisAct,or
inanyotherlawforthetimebeinginforce,the
TreeAuthoritymay,subjecttosuchtermsand
conditionsasitmayspecifyinthatbehalf,after
givingnoticetotheownerofthetreetoshow
cause,ifany,astowhythetreesshouldnotbe
giveninadoption,allow,byawrittenpermission,
anybodycorporateorinstitutiontoadoptthe
treeforsuchperiodasmaybespecifiedinthe
permissionandduringsuchperiod,thesaidbody
corporateorinstitutionshallberesponsibleforthe
maintenanceandpreservationofthesaidtree.
ðTreeAuthorityu/s7hasgivenanywritten
permission

29. Section 14: Appeal
ð(1)Anappealshalllieagainsttheorderor
directionoftheTreeOfficerundersections9,10
and11,totheAppellateAuthoritywithinaperiod
ofthirtydaysofpassingtheorderordirectionby
theTreeOfficer.
ð(2)Everyappealunderthissectionshallbemade
byapetitioninwritingandshallbe
accompaniedbyacopyoftheorderordirection
appealedagainstandafeeorrupeesten.
ðClarification:Appealcanbedoneagainstorders
oftheTreeOfficerallowingordenyingpermission
forfellingoftrees.

30. Section 14
ð(3)Indisposingofanappeal,the
AppellateAuthorityshallfollowsuch
procedureasmaybeprescribed:
ðProvidedthatnoappealshallbe
disposedofunlesstheapplicanthas
beengivenareasonableopportunityof
beingheard.

31. Penalties And Procedure

32. Section 15: Seizure of property
ðWheretheTreeOfficerhasreasonsto
believethatanoffenceunderthisAct
hasbeencommittedinrespectofany
tree,hemayseizethetools,implements,
anyboats,vehicles,animalsorother
conveyancesusedforthecommissionof
thesaidoffence,alongwiththefreeor
partthereof,whichhasbeensevered
fromthegroundorthetrunk,asthecase
maybe.

33. Section16:Forfeitureoftimberandotherproduce
fromthetree,implementsusedforfellingandthe
vehicleandanimalsusedfortransportofsuch
trees
ð(1)Whereanypersonis convictedofanoffence
underthisAct,anytimberofthetreeinrespectof
whichanoffenceiscommitted,thetoolsand
implementsusedforfellingandanyboats,
vehicles,animalsorotherconveyancesusedfor
itstransport,maybeorderedbythecourttobe
forfeitedtoGovernment.
ð(2)Anytimberproducefromthetree,toolsand
implements,etc.,andanyboats,animalsorother
conveyancesforfeitedundersub-section(1)shall
bedisposedofbytheTreeOfficerinsuchmanner
asmaybeprescribed.

34. Section17:Powertoreleaseproperty
seizedundersection15
ðTheTreeOfficer mayreleasethe
propertyseizedundersection15ifthe
owneroftheland executesabond in
suchformasmay/beprescribedforits
productionwheneverrequired.

35. Section 20: Power to prevent commission of
offence
ðEveryTreeOfficerorhissubordinatesorany
Forest,RevenueorPoliceOfficershall
preventandmayinterfere,forthepurpose
ofpreventingthecommissionofany
offenceunderthisAct

36. Section 21: Power to compound offence
ð(1)TheGovernmentmay,bynotification
empoweraTreeOfficeroranyForestOfficernot
belowtherankofDeputyConservatorofForest
ð(a)tocompoundanyoffencecommittedunder
thisActonpaymentof-
ð(i)asumnotexceedingrupeestenthousandby
wayofcompositionfortheoffencewhichsuch
personissuspectedtohavecommitted;and
ð(ii)thevalueoftimberandotherproduce,ifany,
fromthetreeinrespectofwhichtheoffencehas
beencommitted;

37. Minutes of the review meeting dated 28/02/2022
ðWhilereviewingthedecisionofthethenSecretary(E&F)
regardingimpositionofmaximumpenaltywhile
compoundingoftheoffencecaseshookedunderDATA,
1994 conveyed vide No.
F.8(224)/08/CF/MeetingsNo11/8339-45dated7.12011,it
wasseenthatthecompoundingfeesfortreeoffencewas
Rs.30,000foreachtreefelledwhileitwasRs.10.000for
eachtreeprunedinaccordancetotheminutesof
meeting.Itwasbroughttothenoticethatthesecurity
depositforeachtreefelledhadbeenenhancedfromRs.
28.000toRs.34.500incaseofindividualsandRs.57,000in
caseofcommercialprojects.Itwasdecidedthat
pendingamendmentintheDelhiPreservationofTrees
Act,1994andinordertodeterillegaltreefelling/pruning
withoutobtainingproperpermissionsandtosafeguard
publicinterest,theoffencecasesrelatedtopruningand
fellingofpettynaturebeconsideredforcompoundingby
impositionofcompositionfeeRs.60,000(minimum)for
eachtreefelledandRs.20,000(minimum)foreachtree
pruned.

38. Penalty for concretisation

39. Minutes of the Meeting of dated
28/02/2022
ð
ThisisinconsonanceofSection
21(1)(ii)ofDPTA,1994readwith
provisionsofTreeAuthorityin
Section7(a)ofDPTA,1994.

40. Section 21
ð(b)toreleaseanypropertyseizedorliableto
confiscation,onpaymentofthevalue
thereofasestimatedbysuchofficerandthe
amountdetermined'aspayablefor
compositionoftheoffence,asoforderedby
theTreeOfficeroranyForestOfficer,asthe
casemaybe.
ð(2)Onthepaymentofsuchsumsorsuch
valueorboth,asthecasemaybe,tosuch
officer,thepropertyseizedandtheoffender,
ifincustody,shallbereleasedandnofurther
proceedingshallbetakenagainstsuch
offenderorproperty.

41. Section22:ContraventionofActtobereported
bycertainofficers(EnforcementAgencies)
ðItshallbethedutyofeveryForestOfficer,
PanchayatSecretary,PoliceConstableorany
officersuperiortohimandeveryofficerofthe
DepartmentofAgriculture,Horticulture,Block
DevelopmentandRevenue
ð(a)togiveimmediateinformationcomingtohis
knowledgeofanycontraventionofsection8
andofpreparationtocommitsuch
contraventiontotheTreeOfficerortheDeputy
ConservatorofForests;
ð(b)totakeallreasonablemeasuresinhispower
topreventsuchcontraventionwhichhemay
knoworhasreasontobelievethatitisaboutor
likelytobecommitted.

42. Section 24: Penalty
ð(1)Anypersonwhocontravenesanyofthe
provisionsofthisActorrulesorordersmade
thereundershall,onconviction,be
publishedwithimprisonmentwhichmay
extendtooneyearorwithfinewhichmay
extendtoonethousandrupeesorwith
both.

43. AmendmenttoSection21&24:Compoundingof
offenceand&Penalties
ðAspertheMinutesofthereviewmeetingheld
undertheChairmanshipofSecretary(E&F)on
28/02/2017at4.00PMintheConferenceHallin
theConferenceHalloftheSecretary(Env&
Forests),GovernmentofNCTofDelhiin
connectionwithpendingissuesinthe
departmentandproblemsbeingfacedby
DCFsinthefieldandreviewoffunctioningof
thedepartmentinviewofacuteshortageof
frontlineforestrystaffintheDepartmentof
Forests&GNCTD,amendmentsweremadeto
Section21and24oftheDPTA,1994,which
stateasfollows:-

44. Section25:Awardofpenaltyofforfeiture
nottointerferewithotherpunishment
ðTheawardofpenaltyorforfeitureofany
propertyunderthisActshallnotprevent
theinflictingoranypunishmenttowhich
thepersonaffectedtherebyisliable
underanyotherlaw.

45. Section 28: Execution of order for payment
of money
ðAnysum,includinganyamountof
compositionofanoffence,thepayment
ofwhichhasbeendirectedtobemade
byanypersonunderthisActshall,
withoutprejudicetoanyothermodeof
recoveryunderanylawforthetime
beinginforce,berecoverablefromhim
asanarrearoflandrevenue.

46. Section29:PoweroftheGovernmentto
exempt
ðSubjecttosuchconditions,ifany,as
maybeimposed,theGovernmentmay,
ifitconsidersitnecessarysotodointhe
publicinterest,bynotification,exempt
anyareaoranyspeciesoftreesfromall
oranyoftheprovisionsofthisAct.

47. Section30:PoweroftheGovernmentfor
preservationoftrees
ð(1)TheGovernmentmayintheinterest
ofgeneralpublic,declarebynotification
thatanyclassoftreesshallnotbefelled
forsuchperiodasisspecifiedinthat
notification.(2)Themanagementof
suchtreesshallberegulatedinthe
prescribedmanner.

48. Section31:InvestingTreesOfficerwith
certainpowers
(1)TheGovernmentmay,bynotification,invest
theTreeOfficersandotherofficerswithallor
anyofthefollowingpowers,namely:
(a)Powertoenteruponanylandandtosurvey,
demarcateandmakeamapofthesame;
(b)Powersofacivilcourttocompelthe
attendanceofwitnessandtheproductionof
documentsandmaterialobjects;
(c)Powertoissueasearchwarrantunderthe
CodeofCriminalProcedure,1973(CentralAct
2of1974);

49. Section 31
(d)Powertoholdenquiriesintooffence
underthe,Actandinthecourseofsuch
inquirytoreceiveandrecordevidence;
(e)Powertotakepossessionofproperty
undertheAct;
(f)Powertodirectreleaseofpropertyor
withdrawalofcharges;and
(g)Powertorequireanypersontoplanttree
ortreesofsuitablespeciesinadequate
numbersonanylandownedoroccupied
byhim.

50. Section33:PowerofGovernmentgive
Directions
ðTheGovernmentmay,fromtimetotime,
givetotheTreeOfficers,otherofficersof
theTreeAuthorityandofficers
subordinatetothemgeneralorspecial
directionsregardingthedischargeof
theirfunctionsandforcarryingout
effectivelythepurposesofthisAct,and
suchTreeOfficersandotherofficersshall
complywiththedirectionsissued.

51. Section 35
ð
Provision of this Act to be in addition to
any other law for the time being in
force-
NothinginthisActshallbedeemedto
affecttheoperationofanyotherlaw
andtherulesmadethereunderandthe
provisionsofthisActshallbeinaddition
toandnotinderogationofthe
provisionsofthesaidActandrules
madethereunder.

52. VARIOUS COURT DIRECTIONSTO
SENSETISE GREENING AND
DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
ðAspertheHon’blecourtorder(s),atask
hasbeenimposedupontheGovt.of
NCTofDelhitosensitizetheDelhi
Police/Greening agencies/other
Governmentdepartmentsquathe
urgentneedtoaugmentandpreserve
theecology/greencoverofDelhi,byway
of,conductingworkshops.

53. ThelistofcaseswheretheHon’bleCourthas
expresseditsintention(s)forsensetising
stakeholders:-
DistrictPolice StationSubject MatterCase TitleS. No
NewDelhi
Lodhi ColonyContempt of
Court Cont.
Cas(C)
660/2020
Delhi Nature
Society v. Shri
Vinay Sheel
Saxena & Ors
1.
South Delhi
Vasant ViharContempt of
Court
Cont.Cas(C)
768/2021
Bhavreen
Kandhari v.
Gyanesh
Bharthi
2.
East Delhi
PreetVihar
Contempt of
Court
Cont.Cas(C)
851/2021
Neeraj Sharma
v. Vinay Sheel
Saxena & Ors
3.
West Delhi
JanakPuri
Writ Petition
W.P.(C)
4355/2020
Geetha
Rathinavel v.
Govt. of NCT
Delhi & Ors
4.
South Delhi
Mehrauli
W.P.(C)
11441/2021
Pratap Singh
Parmar vs. DDA
5.

54. The operative part of the order dated
18.11.2021 passed in “Pratap Singh Parmar vs.
DDA”reads as under:-
ð“6.Itisamatterofrecordthatintermsoftheordersdated
10.02.2021and04.03.2021inCONT.CAS.(C)660/2020
(NewDelhiNatureSocietyv.ShriVinaySheelSaxena&Ors)
thiscourthaddirectedthatallgovernmentalagenciesand
authoritiesinDelhibeimpartedtrainingbyGNCTDapropos
theneedtopreservetheforestandtreesintheNCTandthe
agenciesweretobemadeawareoftheorderspassedbythis
courtaswellasbytheNationalGreenTribunal(‘NGT’).Mr
AdityaPrasad,Advocate,whohasappearedforthe
petitionerinthatcaseispresentinthecourt,hesaysthat
twoworkshopshavebeenconductedbyGNCTDandinthe
secondworkshoponlyabout20policeofficersattended.
ð7.Surely,thatwouldnotbesufficientforthe164police
stationsinDelhi.LetGNCTDandtheDelhiPolicelookinto
thematterand ensureduecomplianceregarding
sensitizationandtrainingofofficersandpersonnelwho
inthefirstinstancearetoensureprotectionoftrees .”

55. The Hon’ble Court vide order dated 04.03.2021
passed in “New Delhi Nature Society v. Shri
Vinay Sheel Saxena & Ors” directed:
ð1.ThelearnedcounselfortheForestDepartment,GNCTD
submitsthattheDepartmentwillconductspecial
workshopstosensitisethegovernmentpersonnel/officers
oftheimperativetopreserveandprotectthegreencover
inDelhi,especiallyintermsoforderspassedbythisCourt
andbytheNationalGreenTribunal(‘NGT’).TheDelhi
Policeshallspecificallybeinvitedinthiscapacitybuilding
exercise.Letthecommunicationinthisregardbe
addressedtotheCommissionerofPolice,whoshalldirect
dueattendanceofthepolicepersonnel/officersfromeach
policestation,preferablyofSubInspectorlevel,insuch
workshopsandforfurther disseminatinginformation
apropospreservationofgreencoverandforestareasin
Delhi,aboutthenuancesoftheDelhiPreservationof
TreesAct,1994andenvironmentallaws,especially
aboutnoiseandairpollution .Thenext
seminar/workshopinthisregardshallbeheldthismonth
itself.”(Emphasissupplied).

56. The Hon’ble Court vide order dated 29.11.2021
passed in “Bhavreen Kandhari vs. Gyanesh
Bhathi”directed:
ð3.AproposgivingeffecttothePublicNoticedated
08.10.2015issuedbytheDepartmentofForestsand
Wildlife,GNCTD,thecourtisassuredbythelearned
AdditionalStandingCounselforGNCTDthatconcerted
effortsshallbemadetointimatethepublicand
especiallytheauthoritiesandpublicagenciesaboutthe
needtopreservetrees,failingwhichapenaltyof
Rs.10,000/-and/orimprisonmentmaybeimposedupon
theparty.TheTreeOfficershalltakeappropriateaction
inthisregard,includingmeetingswiththeRWAs,soas
togenerateandaugmentcommunityparticipation.
Workshops,ifsorequired,mayalsobeconducted in
theresidentialcolonies.Appropriateexercisemayalsobe
carriedoutwiththeassistanceofneighborhoodschools
becausechildrenwouldbeavaluablewatchandward
armyforprotectionoftrees.Theirparticipationwouldbe
veryrelevant.

57. The order passed by the court on 16.09.2020 in
W.P. (C) 3433/2020 titled as “Nitin Gupta &
Anr. vs. North Delhi Municipal Corporation &
Ors” which reads inter alia as under:-
ð“…10.Inthecircumstances,theCourtconsidersit
necessarythattheForestDepartment(GNCTD);i)setup
atelephonelineforrecordingofcomplaintsandii)create
alinkonitswebsitewherecomplaintsmayberegistered
bycitizens,whonoticeconcretizationofthe
street/groundaroundatreeorotherformsofdamageor
victimizationofatree.Complaintsalongwith
photographsmaybefiledonthesaidsite.Uponreceipt
ofacomplaint,theTreeOfficershallpromptlyinitiate
measuresbycoordinatingwiththeland-owning
agencyconcerned,aswellasthepolicetoredress
theproblem. TheTreeOfficerandtheland-owning
agencies,shallensurethatallconcretearoundtreesare
removed,asperthedirectionsoftheNationalGreen
Tribunal,andthatadamagedtreeisrestoredtogood
health.

58. Tree Helpline
ð
intermsoftheorderspassedbythe
CentralInformationCommission,the
departmenthasalsooperationaliseda
24x7Tree&WildlifeToll-freeHelpline
Numberandthesamehasbeenmade
availabletopublicforeasilyreporting
treeandwildliferelatedoffences.The
tollfreenumberis1800-118-600.

59. Deemed Forest
ð
AsperaffidavitfiledbyGovernmentof
NCTofDelhi:
ð
Theareasabove2.5acreshaving
densityof100treesperacreaswellas
stretchesoflandalongroads,drainsetc.
havinglengthof1kmbesidesareas
alreadyshownasforestsetc.inRevenue
LandRecordsshallbeconsideredas
deemedforest.

60. Deemed Forest contd.
ð
Therefore,anydevelopmentworkin
theForestland,besidesprotected
forest,reservedforestandwildlife
sanctuary/protectedareasattracts
theprovisionsofForest(Conservation)
Act,1980.AccordingtothesaidAct,
theuseofForestlandfornonforestry
purposesrequirespermissionof
CentralGovernment.Thebelow
mentionedareaarespecifiedas
ProtectedForestinthisaffidavit.

62. Thank You!