Trees will be translocated, not felled, if they need to be removed from construction sites, said the Uttarakhand forest department in an order issued on Friday.
According to principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF) Jairaj (who uses only his first name), the builder in charge of the construction work will have to shift the tree in his own capacity after officials of the forest department decide on a site where it will be translocated to.
“Translocation should be promoted so that felling trees is reduced to a minimum,” read the forest department’s orders, which will also apply to any renovation or construction work at government buildings. The orders also state that trees like Peepal, Banyan or Neem must be preserved and translocated only if absolutely necessary.
“The forest department will assist in all possible ways in the translocation of trees. If there is no space in the city, the trees can be moved to a forest area,” said Jairaj. “A team comprising members of the forest department, local representatives and environmentalists will be formed to offer suggestions on translocation of trees within the civic limit,” he added.
The forest department has also asked for the details of a tree to be translocated to be shared, so people can approach the department with objections if they have any.