Delhi proposes easing felling rules for five commercial tree species
On July 8, the Delhi Government's Department of Forests and Wildlife issued a public notice proposing to exempt five commercially grown tree species from the existing permission regime required for felling trees on private land in Delhi. The draft rules aim to promote agro-forestry and reduce pressure on natural forests by relaxing tree-felling norms.
The proposed draft, titled the Delhi Preservation of Trees (Agro-forestry and Exempted Plantation Species) Rules, 2026, covers five specific species: poplar, eucalyptus, sejhana, gamari, and Malabar neem. Under the proposal, private landowners would be allowed to fell these species without prior permission or the obligation of compensatory plantation.
Currently, under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, felling or heavily pruning any tree on private land without written permission from the forest department is prohibited. Landowners must apply through the department’s portal with proof of ownership, details of the trees, and reasons for felling. If permission is granted, they must plant 10 saplings for every tree removed and bear their maintenance costs for seven years. This process, which includes a site inspection, can take up to 60 days.
Under the new draft rules, landowners would first register their plantations of the exempted species on the department’s portal by uploading geo-tagged photographs, ownership documents, and tree details to receive a plantation registration certificate.
At the time of harvesting, the owner would upload the certificate and geo-tagged photographs of the trees. According to an official, permission would be issued within seven working days for up to 10 trees. Applications involving more than 10 trees would require a site inspection within 14 days.
The draft also proposes allowing timber and other produce from these five species to be transported within or outside Delhi without a separate transit permit. Furthermore, trees felled under this framework would not attract compensatory plantation requirements.
The department stated that the existing rules have discouraged agro-forestry on private land. It noted that promoting agro-forestry would increase green cover, enhance carbon sequestration, supplement timber supply, and reduce pressure on natural forests.
However, the department clarified that forests, ridge areas, and trees protected under existing laws or court directions would remain outside the scope of these proposed exemptions.
