Delhi govt mandates geo-tagged photos under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act

The Delhi government has overhauled the tree transplantation procedure on the e‑Forest portal , strengthening documentation and monitoring under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act to improve oversight and long-term tracking of relocated trees. The updated system aims to make transplantation more transparent and accountable, addressing longstanding concerns over low survival rates and implementation challenges.

Under the revised procedure, user agencies, individuals, and government bodies must upload detailed, stage-wise information and geo-tagged photographs at multiple stages, including before transplantation, during root ball preparation, transportation, and immediately after replanting. Each stage requires up to three images from different angles, and agencies must submit quarterly updates for up to 36 months to track tree survival. The portal also allows uploading KML files , site photographs, expenditure records, and other relevant information to help authorities map and monitor progress. Officers in the West, Central, North, and South forest divisions have been directed to upload compliance reports and provide feedback within seven days to support further improvements.

Officials say the changes will help authorities track transplanted trees more effectively and ensure compliance with conditions attached to relocation permissions. Past data shows that survival rates of transplanted trees in Delhi often fell well below the 80 percent target, with only about 42.5 percent of 1,357 trees surviving between 2019 and 2022. Experts have pointed out that technical challenges, unsuitable sites, and insufficient post-transplant care contributed to low survival, emphasizing that monitoring alone cannot guarantee results.

The revised procedures, combined with stricter SOP compliance, KML mapping, and long-term reporting, reflect a concerted effort by the Delhi government to improve transparency, enforce accountability, and enhance the survival of transplanted trees in the rapidly urbanizing capital.