New Delhi — In a move that eases procedural constraints for a major government housing project, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has granted an exemption under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, for an 8.9-hectare site in Kasturba Nagar Phase-II. The decision allows the designated tree officer to consider an application for managing 856 trees potentially impacted by the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) project.Delhi LG
The exemption, issued via a gazette notification dated June 13 and made public on Sunday, invokes Section 29 of the DPTA, which permits the government to override certain limitations in the public interest. Normally, under Section 9(3), a tree officer can only process requests involving up to one hectare. This exemption, therefore, paves the way for the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to seek official review of the full project site.
However, the notification does not serve as a green light for tree cutting or transplantation. It simply enables the scrutiny process. The appointed tree officer—Deputy Conservator of Forests (South Division)—will now examine the proposal based on due diligence, compliance with the DPTA, 1996 Rules, and any applicable court directions.
“The tree officer must apply due diligence and aim to minimise the number of trees affected by the project,” the official notification emphasizes.
This marks the fourth such exemption granted in recent weeks. Other recent instances include:
- 115.88 hectares for the redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station (887 trees)
- 5.037 hectares for the Common Central Secretariat (476 trees)
- 2.16 hectares for a flyover at the Nand Nagri–Gagan Cinema junction (27 trees)
While the government cites “public interest” as justification, the move has drawn strong criticism from environmental advocates and opposition leaders.
As urban expansion projects continue, the debate between infrastructure development and environmental preservation intensifies. The coming weeks will reveal how the forest department evaluates the GPRA application—and how many of the 856 trees can ultimately be saved.
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