https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tree Miscounts Prompt Action: Delhi Forest Department Reaffirms Legal Definition of a Tree to Avoid Miscounts

Delhi Forest Department clarifies the legal definition of a tree to prevent miscounts and disputes over pruning and conservation.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: The Delhi Forest Department has issued a circular clarifying the legal definition of a “tree” under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994. The move aims to eliminate disputes in tree counting, pruning, and conservation activities, which had sparked disagreements with environmental activists.

Defining a Tree Under Law

According to Section 2(i) of the DPTA, a tree is a woody plant with branches supported by a trunk or body. The trunk must measure at least five centimetres in diameter at thirty centimetres above ground level. The tree must also be at least one metre tall. Officials noted that this standard ensures uniformity in identification and protection.

Clarification on Counting Practices

The circular makes clear that branches or shoots emerging from the soil cannot be counted as separate trees. Earlier, species such as kikar and babool with multiple basal branches were sometimes recorded as multiple trees, inflating forest data. Now, only distinct trunks meeting the criteria will be included in official counts.

Implications for Pruning and Conservation

Under the DPTA, pruning allows the removal of weak or hazardous branches to prevent accidents along roads, railways, and public spaces. Standard procedures also encourage removing shoots from tree bases to support healthy branching and fruit production, aiding local wildlife. Officials stressed that this clarification prevents pruning from being misinterpreted as tree felling.

Ensuring Consistency and Data Accuracy

The department said the circular will ensure consistent application of DPTA provisions across all divisions. It will also prevent legal complications and misinterpretations that have previously hindered forest management. Officials believe that by adhering strictly to the legal definition, the capital can improve data accuracy, enhance urban forest management, and maintain ecological balance.

Also Read: Delhi Forest Department Reveals Fake Tree-Cutting Permission in Ridge Area Before Supreme Court


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Wildlife Sanctuary
Odisha’s Debrigarh to Become India’s Newest Tiger Reserve and First Dark Sky Sanctuary After Remarkable Conservation Turnaround
smart metering project
PFCCL Signs Smart Metering Agreement in Puducherry to Boost Power Efficiency & Transparency
DMRL
DRDO’s DMRL Transfers Advanced Materials Technology to Industry Partners, Signs MoU with AAIB
Teelu Rauteli Award
Uttarakhand CM Dhami Honors 13 Women with Teelu Rauteli Award, 33 Anganwadi Workers for Service Excellence
INS Sindhuvijay
INS Sindhuvijay to Undergo Crucial Mid-Life Refit at HSL, Extending Indian Navy’s Underwater Power
Gorakhpur projects
UP: CM Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates ₹2,251 Crore Development Projects in Gorakhpur, Promises Jobs and Industrial Growth- Know More
Assam Forest Dept
Timber Smuggling Alert: Assam Forest Officials Fire Blank Rounds Amid Smuggling Row in Assam’s Boko
NHPC Resized
Power Sector Veteran Bhupender Gupta Appointed Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC Limited, Succeeding Raj Kumar Chaudhary
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
Decoding Digital Dangers: Insights from IPS Shikha Goel on Cyber Crimes
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
IAS Sakshi Sawhney Amritsar DC
Punjab Floods: IAS Sakshi Sawhney’s Emotional Appeal to Elderly Man Wins Hearts, Video of Humanity Goes Viral
Viral Video Captures Emotional Moment as Amritsar DC Shows Sensitivity and Courage Amid Relief Effor...
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Wildlife Sanctuary
Odisha’s Debrigarh to Become India’s Newest Tiger Reserve and First Dark Sky Sanctuary After Remarkable Conservation Turnaround
smart metering project
PFCCL Signs Smart Metering Agreement in Puducherry to Boost Power Efficiency & Transparency
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT