Home / Environment / Delhi Eases Tree Felling for Agro-Forestry
Delhi Eases Tree Felling for Agro-Forestry
11 Jul
Summary
- Five commercial tree species to be exempted from felling permits.
- New rules aim to boost agro-forestry and reduce forest pressure.
- Simplified registration process for exempted tree plantations.
Delhi is set to significantly ease its tree-felling norms by proposing exemptions for five commercially grown tree species on private land. The draft Delhi Preservation of Trees (Agro-forestry and Exempted Plantation Species) Rules, 2026, aims to promote agro-forestry and reduce pressure on natural forests.
Currently, felling trees on private land requires written permission, a process that can take up to 60 days and involves compensatory plantation. Under the new draft rules, owners of poplar, eucalyptus, sejhana, gamari, and Malabar neem must register their plantations online. For harvesting up to 10 trees, permission is expected within seven working days.
The proposed framework also seeks to allow transportation of timber from these species without separate transit permits and will not require compensatory plantation. The department believes these changes will encourage agro-forestry, increase green cover, and supplement timber supply while aligning with national guidelines.
