In India, tree relocation is often not done. Government authorities prefer to cut down mature hard growth trees instead of trying to relocate them to a new location and allow the trees to live. As a result, in most of the towns and cities where a new project is announced, trees are indiscriminately cut. On 21st March, 2022, while responding to a question in Lok Sabha on the topic on relocation of trees, the MoS Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, didn't give the number of trees relocated in India. He said that the relocation/transplantation of trees is done by the State Government authorities keeping in view the prevalent climatic and edaphic factors as well as the physiological condition of the trees. However, the transplantation/relocation of trees is an evolving technique which is relatively new to the Country.
Permission for felling of trees is accorded by the concerned State/UT Government authorities as per the State Specific Acts, Rules,Guidelines and the orders of Hon’ble courts. However, the permission for diversion of forest land for non –forestry purpose is accorded with a condition that the minimum number of trees should be felled. The identification of trees fit for translocation is done by the field officers depending upon the ground situation and various climatic, edaphic and physiological conditions.
During last five years (2016-17 to 2020-21) forest land diversion proposals involving 1,20,33,775 trees were approved under the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and 20,81,04,094 seedlings were planted under Compensatory Afforestation.
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