New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) The Delhi government has notified a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with tree-related offences, directing that inquiries into complaints be completed preferably within two months of their receipt.
The SOP, issued by the Forest and Wildlife Department under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, provides for round-the-clock forest control rooms and division control rooms, quick response teams (QRTs), dedicated legal cells and prosecution cells, and a complaint-tracking website to strengthen enforcement against tree-related violations.
Complaints can be lodged through the Green Helpline, a dedicated website, in the written format and on government mobile applications. Upon receiving information, officials
will register a First Offence Report (FOR) and transmit details in real time to the Forest Control Room, the Division Control Room, beat officers and the land-owning agency concerned for immediate action.
Under the SOP, QRTs will be tasked with reaching sites of reported violations, stopping ongoing offences, maintaining status quo and collecting evidence.
Team members have been directed to take geo-referenced photographs and videos, record details of suspects and document tools, equipment and vehicles allegedly used in the commission of offences.
Forest officials have also been empowered to issue restraining orders where there is a likelihood of illegal felling or damage to trees, inform land-owning agencies and police authorities, and seek seizure of tools, vehicles and tree material involved in offences. Violations of such orders can be referred to police for legal action.
Tree officers have been directed to gather evidence, including CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, issue notices to alleged offenders and conduct hearings in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
The SOP also provides for summoning witnesses and proceeding with inquiries even if accused persons or witnesses fail to appear despite being served notices.
Persons suspected of involvement in tree offences may be taken before the range officer if they refuse to disclose their identity or are suspected of attempting to abscond. Where required, cases may be prepared for prosecution before courts of competent jurisdiction.
The notification further provides for the establishment of a legal cell at the department’s headquarters to monitor court cases and prosecution cells under each tree officer to assist in inquiries and prosecution. A dedicated website will track the entire lifecycle of complaints under the Act.
The forest control rooms and division control rooms will function round the clock and handle complaints related to tree offences, attempts to encroach upon forest land and wildlife-related issues.
The SOP also reiterates that forest officials may seek police assistance during enforcement and provides that, in case of disputes over jurisdiction between forest divisions, the decision of the conservator of forests will be final.
The directions came into force upon publication in the Delhi Gazette and superseded all previous guidelines issued on the subject. PTI SGV RC
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