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Delhi's Trees: A Silent Crisis Ignored?
4 Jul
Summary
- Delhi's first scientific tree census remains stalled, defying a Supreme Court order.
- The census aims to record tree species, age, health, and geolocation in three phases.
- Disagreements between forest departments hinder the crucial urban tree assessment.
A critical scientific census of Delhi's urban trees, mandated by a Supreme Court order in December 2024, has yet to begin. This essential four-year project, approved for funding via the CAMPA fund, intends to create the capital's first comprehensive tree database. It will meticulously record species, age, health, and exact locations in three distinct phases.
Despite the urgency, highlighted by past incidents of falling trees during monsoons, operational delays persist. Sources indicate that discussions between the Delhi Forest Department and the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun concerning the standard operating procedure (SOP) are ongoing. Key issues, such as methods for assessing tree health and identifying hazardous trees, are still being deliberated.
Environmentalists emphasize the need for the census to extend beyond mere counting, focusing on tree health and risk assessment to prevent accidents. The project's success hinges on resolving technical disagreements and fostering collaboration between the FRI and Delhi's Forest Department to ensure the data generated is actionable and meaningful for conservation and public safety.
