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Delhi Forest Department Clarifies What Counts as a Tree

4 September 20251 min read
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGYDelhi ForestDepartmentClarifies WhatCounts as a Tree4 September 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

On 4 September 2025 the Delhi Forest Department issued a circular to remove confusion in counting trees, especially during pruning and conservation work.

Key facts

  • The definition comes from Section 2(i) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994: a woody plant with branches supported by a trunk or body.
  • Minimum trunk diameter: 5 cm, measured 30 cm above ground.
  • Minimum height: 1 metre from ground level.
  • Branches or shoots coming out of the soil cannot be counted as separate trees. Species such as kikar and babool with several basal branches count as one unit if they share one primary trunk that meets the criteria.

Pruning versus felling

Pruning means removing weak, dangerous or unwanted branches to prevent accidents. It encourages healthy growth and helps local fauna through new branches and fruit. The circular treats it as different from felling a tree. The article does not state any penalties.

Exam angle

  • Numbers to recall: 5 cm, 30 cm, 1 metre.
  • The Act is a Delhi law of 1994 on tree preservation.
  • Multi-stem trees like kikar are counted once if one primary trunk qualifies.

Test yourself

1. Under the DPTA, 1994, what is the minimum trunk diameter for a plant to count as a tree?

The trunk must be at least 5 cm across at 30 cm above ground.

2. What minimum height does the circular require for a tree?

A tree must be at least 1 metre tall.

3. According to the clarification, shoots emerging from the soil are...

Branches or shoots emerging from the soil cannot be counted as separate trees.

Sources: GKToday

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 4 September 2025 (12 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizSeptember 2025

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