Survival of Transplanted Trees in Delhi Capital Declining, Says Forest Department

The Forest Department of the Delhi Government has recently expressed concerns over the diminishing chances of survival for transplanted trees in the capital. An official from the department, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed while talking to Dainik Bhaskar that an internal audit conducted by the department unveiled a continuous decline in the survival rate of transplanted trees beyond the first year. One of the primary factors contributing to this decline is the limitation imposed by the plantation policy regarding transplanted trees.

Reasons for Decline in Survival Rate

According to the Tree Transplantation Policy, it is mandatory for concerned agencies and departments to transplant 80% of the trees affected by development projects. The policy sets a benchmark survival rate of 80% for transplanted trees at the end of one year. However, the recent data collected after the audit conducted in May, which was submitted to the Delhi High Court, paints a grim picture. Only 33.33% of the 16,461 transplanted trees managed to survive after three years.

To investigate the reasons behind this alarming decline in survival rates, a three-member committee was appointed. The committee conducted on-site inspections from October to February and discovered that the survival rate of transplanted trees plummeted from 90% in the first year to a mere 38% after three years. This significant drop in survival was attributed to the fact that the maintenance responsibility of the technical agency overseeing the transplantation was limited to just one year after the completion of the plantation.

The committee's report highlighted the lack of proper maintenance as a major reason for the tree deaths and recommended a revision of the plantation policy. The report suggests making it mandatory for technical agencies to maintain transplanted trees for a minimum of three years, as opposed to the current one-year limit.

Furthermore, the committee identified instances where certain trees were transplanted multiple times, which had a detrimental impact on their survival rates. Among the transplanted species, it was found that Ficus trees exhibited the highest survival rate at 75%, while Neem trees fared the worst, with almost no survival.

Forest Department Recommends Changes to Policy

The declining survival rate of transplanted trees is a matter of great concern, not only for the Forest Department but also for the overall ecosystem and green cover of the capital. Trees play a crucial role in mitigating pollution, providing shade, and maintaining biodiversity. Therefore, it is imperative that steps be taken to improve the survival rates of transplanted trees in Delhi.

The Delhi Government and concerned authorities should carefully consider the recommendations put forth by the committee and take immediate action to address the shortcomings in the current plantation policy. By extending the maintenance responsibility of technical agencies and ensuring proper care for transplanted trees for an extended period, the chances of their survival can be significantly enhanced.

The preservation of Delhi's green cover and the well-being of the environment should be a top priority for the government. Implementing effective measures to improve the survival rates of transplanted trees will not only benefit the city's ecosystem but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all residents.