Delhi government’s proposed tree transplantation policy unscientific: Experts

Forest department is likely to extend deadline for receiving feedback on Delhi government’s proposed tree transplantation poicy after requests from residents.

Calling the Delhi government’s proposed tree transplantation policy ‘unscientific’ and ‘unsustainable’, several citizens and experts have sent their comments to the forest department, urging the authorities not to give a nod to the draft in its present form.

One of the two trees transplanted from Kashmere Gate to the forest department’s land near Nigam Bodh Ghat, Delhi. (HT Photo)

After releasing the draft tree transplantation policy on February 28, the Delhi forest department had invited comments from citizens till March 15. The forest department is, however, now planning to extend the deadline after requests from many citizens. “We have received quite a few comments and suggestions. We are scrutinising them. We would try to incorporate some of the suggestions and comments that have come in before the policy is finalised. We are also planning to extend the deadline so that more people can comment on it,” said Imran Hussain, forest minister of Delhi.

HT has accessed some of the comments that reached the forest department. In most of the comments, citizens have raised objections against the proposed policy and have urged the forest department not to go ahead with the present draft. Even though the draft speaks of transplanting 80% trees, ecologists and experts had earlier pointed out that a successful transplantation would depend on the species, age, size and heath of trees besides other factors such as soil condition and expertise

“The draft is unscientific and goes against the department’s own experience of failure to transplant trees. A panel comprising officials of forest department and CPWD had, in 2017, found that of the 1,713 trees that were to be removed from Pragati Maidan, less than 3% were fit for transplantation,” said Meenakshi Nath, a lawyer who, last year, participated in the protest against felling of trees for a redevelopment project in south Delhi.

The policy states trees would be transplanted along PWD roads and specially created land banks. Experts apprehend that even the transplanted trees would have to undergo a second transplantation, given the scarcity of land. “The policy aims to remove trees where they were well integrated and grow them along the PWD roads and special land banks. What will become of road expansion projects and when more land is required from land banks? Will that mean more compensatory plantation and re-transplantation? This is unsustainable,” said Kanchi Kohli, a legal researcher with the Centre for Policy Research, who, along with her colleague Manju Menon, has sent comments.

Saying that the policy, in its present form, would pave the way for removal of thousands of trees to give way for construction projects, experts have urged the forest department to implement provisions of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, and make the Tree Authority more effective.

“The policy is focused on transplantation and hardly makes any effort to retain trees where they stand — the primary focus of DPTA. How can an agency with expertise in transplantation help preserve trees?” said writer-photographer Juhi Saklani, who sent her comments.

Some have also pointed out that the forest department should first publish a ‘white paper’ enumerating the details such as economic viability, survival rate, feasibility under harsh agro-climatic conditions.

“The white paper shall contain comprehensive details of the trees transplanted and compensatory plantation done since enactment of DPTA 1994. Survival of a tree is not just about stumps and a few sprouts,” said RNS Tyagi, former horticulture director of CPWD, who was associated with one of the first tree transplantations of Delhi in 1972.