Dwarka Sector 23 RWAs directed to plant 70 saplings after tree felling

Seven trees at Navrattan Apartment in Dwarka’s Sector 23 are to be replaced with 70 saplings under directions issued by the tree officer to the apartment RWAs.

The directions follow a May 19 complaint about tree felling at the complex. In a July 28 report submitted to the National Green Tribunal, the tree officer said seven trees had been felled in violation of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. Proceedings have begun against the apartment’s president, secretary and a member.

The RWAs have been directed to plant the saplings at the site or nearby, using native mixed species including neem, bargad, peepal, pilkhan and arjun. Each sapling must be at least six feet tall, have spent five years in a nursery and have a collar girth of at least 10 cm.

The apartment president said the trees were dry and dangerous. The report said the legality of the felling will be examined during the proceedings. The RWAs must protect and maintain the saplings for seven years and submit quarterly reports with geo-tagged photographs.