On May 19 , 2025, the Government of NCT of Delhi issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the tending and pruning of trees under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, aiming to balance urban greenery management with public safety.
Why It Matters:
Delhi, known for its expansive green spaces—ranging from ridge forests and city parks to biodiversity zones—has seen continuous growth in its green cover. With this growth, the city also faces challenges in managing mature trees, especially in public areas like roads, parks, and residential localities, where unregulated branches can pose serious risks.
Key Objectives of the SOP:
- Promote scientific and safe pruning to ensure tree health and public safety.
- Minimize hazards from falling branches, obscured visibility, and electrical risks.
- Enable sunlight penetration, biodiversity support, and ecosystem health.
- Prevent infrastructure damage and reduce pest and disease spread.
SOP Highlights:
Permission Protocol:
- Entities (individuals, RWAs, agencies) must apply online via the e-Forest Portal for pruning of trees with branch girth ≥ 15.7 cm.
- Applications must include geo-referenced photos for each tree.
- Tree Officers must respond within 7 working days.
Exemptions:
- No permission needed for light pruning of branches with girth < 15.7 cm. However, photographic evidence must be uploaded on the portal.
Government Agency Exception:
- Agencies like MCD, NDMC, DDA, PWD, ASI, CPWD may conduct pruning in public areas without prior approval if there’s an immediate safety threat, under the supervision of a senior horticulture officer.
General Instructions:
- Only landowners or land-owning agencies can apply.
- No offline applications will be entertained.
- Pruning must be scientific and supervised by a certified horticulturist.
- The Forest Department will not conduct pruning, only grant permissions.
This SOP supersedes all previous guidelines and is designed to ensure efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible management of Delhi’s urban trees.
For full details and application procedures, visit the official e-Forest Portal.
