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Delhi Tackles Invasive Trees Blocking Development
18 Dec
Summary
- Delhi plans policy to remove invasive trees for stalled projects.
- Invasive species removal SOP is being drafted by the forest department.
- Vilayati kikar is native to South America and has been in Delhi for a century.
The Delhi government is creating a policy to address invasive tree species, particularly vilayati kikar, that are obstructing stalled development projects. Officials indicate that the forest department is tasked with drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the removal process. This proposed policy seeks to balance environmental considerations with the progress of crucial development works, employing methods like canopy lifting to minimize ecological impact.
The forest department is also compiling an inventory of sites affected by invasive species. Previous attempts to remove vilayati kikar, initiated in 2017 and approved in 2022, were stalled due to procedural hurdles and a lack of consensus within an expert committee. A revised proposal is now being prepared, focusing on limited, need-based interventions.
Vilayati kikar, native to South America, has been a dominant invasive species in Delhi for a century, impacting native vegetation and groundwater. The new SOP will include stringent monitoring to prevent misuse while enabling essential projects, such as the proposed Sports University in Ghevra, to move forward.
