In a decisive push for environmental stewardship, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has greenlit a detailed SOP to combat offenses against the city’s trees. Notified by the Forest and Wildlife Department under the 1994 Trees Act, this framework establishes a foolproof system for preventing illegal logging, property damage to trees, and illicit operations.
‘Our administration places the utmost importance on preserving Delhi’s lush landscapes,’ CM Gupta stated, describing the SOP as a game-changer in law enforcement. It guarantees effective, responsible handling of every violation case, leaving no room for delays or oversights.
Key features include a citizen-friendly reporting ecosystem: toll-free lines, digital portals, and physical desks for seamless complaint submission. Real-time forwarding to on-ground personnel activates QRTs, who document incidents with geo-tagged media and prevent escalation. This time-bound protocol ensures accountability at every step.
Empowering frontline warriors, the SOP grants forest officials authority to clamp down on-site—issuing bans, confiscating equipment, and linking up with police for arrests. Round-the-clock control rooms at multiple levels, fitted with advanced tech, will oversee operations and integrate with other services for holistic response.
Revived Green Helpline 1800118600 and its portal stand ready, with aggressive outreach to maximize citizen engagement. Echoing PM Modi’s harmony of growth and ecology, Gupta affirmed Delhi’s role in building a sustainable nation. This SOP is more than policy—it’s a pledge to bequeath a verdant, breathable capital to tomorrow’s children.
Delhiites are called upon to be vigilant sentinels, using these tools to report tree threats instantly. The era of impunity for green crimes ends here, paving the way for a thriving urban forest.
