Following the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s ban on illegal felling of trees in the national Capital, the Delhi Police has authorised its officers to directly register a case in such activity. Earlier police station could not entertain any complaint in this regard without the prior intimation to the tree officer or forest officer. A sub-inspector rank officer will investigate such cases.
The order has been issued in the wake of several complaints about the deforestation and illegal trees felling from various parts of Delhi. A case under the Delhi Prevention of Trees Act, 1994 can be lodged at the concerned police station on any complaint without the prior intimation to the tree officer or forest officer.
The police had received several complaints regarding felling of trees. The NGT has also been intimating the police about such activities in various parts especially jungles in south and southwest Delhi. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has authorised the officers to register the case under the Prevention of Trees Act and the culprit will be liable to one-year punishment or a fine up to Rs1,000, or both.
As of now, there was no such precedent of registration of an FIR directly by a police officer posted at a police station. The complaints were first forwarded to the tree officer or forest officer of the concerned area, and only then the police would be informed. This leads to delay in the investigation process and the culprit easily escapes, a police officer told The Pioneer.
“The complainants need not rush to the tree officers regarding such activity. They may also dial 100 and a police officer (sub-inspector) will be assigned to immediately report to the spot. Following which, he will lodge the case and start the probe,” said the officer.
Environmental activist Aruna Vashisht, who works against deforestation in the Capital, welcomed the Delhi Police’s initiative. “This should have been done long-long time back. But it is a good step and this should be widely published so that people become aware of it. This will help us in preventing such activity in the Capital,” Vashisht, who works with Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity, said while talking to The Pioneer.
Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 was passed in order to save the trees planted in the national Capital from being getting depleted due to human activities. The Act aimed at keeping a check on cutting of trees by the owners of the trees on their land. The Act gave birth to Tree Authority in the National Capital Region for the preservation of trees.