The Gwalior Bench of MP High Court has approved a drafted tree translocation policy in the state for less tree cutting for infrastructure, development activities.
The policy was handed out to the court as part of the proceedings of a public interest litigation about cutting the trees. Invited powers followed the court’s instructions to draft a framework that prioritized the preservation of trees through translocation wherever possible.
The proposed policy will seek to stimulate projects like roads, metro corridors, railway schemes, flyovers and their parameters to adopt scientific practices relating to tree transplantation. It aims at reducing impacts on the environment while enabling development projects to be carried out.
The draft policy also covers issues of geo-tagging and online monitoring of relocated trees, which are in line with the principles of transparency and accountability. Local committees are expected to be established at the district level to oversee implementation, and to evaluate the survival of the transplanted trees.
The framework suggests that agencies that carry out development projects could be penalized when they fall short of specified objectives in protecting trees and planting them. The blacklisting of agencies that fail to adhere to the guidelines is contained within the policy, which will also implement tougher measures.
For years, environmentalists have been calling for tree transplanting as a solution to widespread deforestation, especially in urban development. The program advocates feel that the policy may assist to create a balance between development and protection of environment.
The court’s statements have been being interpreted as a pivotal move for enhancing environmental protection legislation in public infrastructure projects. The policy is likely to be further refined before it is implemented in schools all over the state.