New Delhi: The tree officer has informed NGT that the RWAs of an apartment in Dwarka’s Sector 23 illegally felled seven trees in violation of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act. The tree officer has directed RWAs to plant 70 saplings in the same area and maintain them for seven years.The case pertains to a complaint received on May 19 regarding the alleged illegal felling of trees at Navrattan Apartment in Dwarka.In a report dated July 28, the tree officer said, “Based on the inspection report, proceedings were initiated under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, against the president, secretary, and a member of the apartment.” The apartment authorities have been directed to plant 70 saplings at the same or a nearby location. The saplings must comprise native mixed species such as neem, bargad, peepal, pilkhan and arjun, and be at least six feet tall, with a nursery life of five years and a collar girth of not less than 10 cm.The apartment president claimed that these seven trees were dry and dangerous. “However, the issue regarding their legality will be examined during the course of the proceedings,” said the report.The tree officer also directed adequate and effective protection of the saplings from damage. Quarterly progress reports, along with the latest geo-tagged photographs, must be submitted upon completion of the compensatory plantation to enable monitoring of the survival and maintenance of the planted trees.
