The Government of Delhi on October 01, 2026, issued the Delhi Preservation of Trees (Agro-forestry and Exempted Plantation Species) Rules, 2026.
These rules shall apply to private land within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, other than land forming part of— (a) forests, ridge areas or deemed forests; or (b) any land in respect of which felling of trees is prohibited or restricted under any law for the time being in force or by order of any court or tribunal.
The rules exempt the felling, removal or disposal of specified plantation species grown on private land in Delhi from the requirement of prior permission, subject to prescribed conditions. The exempted species include Poplar, Safeda (Eucalyptus), Sejhana (Moringa oleifera), Gamari (Gmelina arborea) and Malabar Neem (Melia dubia). The exemption does not apply to forest, ridge or deemed forest land, or where tree felling is prohibited or restricted under any law or court or tribunal order.
Private landowners must register plantations through the designated portal by submitting ownership documents, geo-tagged photographs, a KML file and details of the species and number of trees. For felling up to 10 trees, the Tree Officer must issue permission within seven working days if no objection is recorded. For more than 10 trees, a site inspection must be conducted within 14 working days, and permission issued within three weeks if no objection is recorded. Timber from these species may be transported within or outside Delhi without a separate transit permit, and trees felled in accordance with the rules are exempt from compensatory plantation requirements. The exemptions do not override applicable forest, environmental and wildlife laws or binding court directions.
[Notification No. FAWL-L/1/2026-Tree Cell/e-323873/9777]
