Delhi still has no clue to how many trees it has

An MCD worker sprays water onto trees along a roadside in a bid to curb air pollution (AFP File Photo)

NEW DELHI: A count of trees in the capital has been long due. But this exercise, which can give a comprehensive idea about the trees across the city, has remained only an on-paper announcement. In 2015, the Delhi government had announced a tree census, but it is yet to take off. According to forest department officials, Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun has been contacted for the exercise but no concrete step has been taken. “We have requested FRI but no reply has come. They were supposed to make a proposal,” a senior forest department official said.

FRI, however, said it was waiting for the Delhi government’s nod. “We have already prepared a concept note and sent it to the Delhi forest department. They are yet to okay it and then only we can move forward,” its director, Savita, told TOI.

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In October 2015, the government had announced the capital’s first-ever tree census to be done by a ‘third party’, an NGO of repute. The decision came months after the Delhi high court had observed that the capital is not as green as official figures make it out to be and asked the government to give details of the actual forest area in Delhi.

“Trees located in the common areas like roadsides, gardens and parks of the city will be counted as their records can be maintained. Private areas such as residences will be left out as the owners are entitled to apply for cutting trees any time,” a senior government official had said. The census, enlisted under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, was to be finished within December 2015.

According to Economic Survey of Delhi 2017-18, the total forest and tree cover in Delhi increased to 305.41 sqkm in 2017 from 299.77 sqkm in 2015. Delhi’s green cover has also increased from around 20.2% in 2015 to 20.6% during 2017. Economic Survey of Delhi 2014-2015 said the city had a tree cover of 297.8 sqkm in 2013 or 20.1% of the total area of Delhi. But there is no idea, other than satellite images, about their density, variety and health.

A tree census will help compile information on each tree, covering its number, location, type and girth, which should form the basis of all tree plantations, felling, pruning and compensatory afforestation measures, an expert said.

The first tree census of Delhi, conducted privately by residents of Sarvodaya Enclave in 2011-12, marked the total number of trees, their species and their individual health — whether they had any disease, were infested by pests or were encroached upon.

In 2017, some government agencies made a count of 18 million trees. However, it remained incomplete as some agencies could not submit their data. Besides the forest department, Delhi has over 10 agencies with their own horticulture wing. These include Delhi Development Authority, New Delhi Municipal Council, three corporations and Delhi Jal Board.

“Tree census is a gargantuan task which was taken up with all civic agencies involved. Trees have been numbered but the data is not compiled. The way forward is to ensure that tree-related permissions are withheld till the data is in place,” said Padmavati Dwivedi, who had initiated the first neighbourhood census in Delhi in 2011-12. 

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