The Supreme Court has given the Forest Research Institute (FRI) permission to conduct Delhi’s first-
ever tree census. The court has also sanctioned a plan by the Dehradun-based institute to increase
the city’s green cover. The two projects will be undertaken together, with the census being
conducted in three phases within a period of three-and-a-half years and the afforestation within
four years.
Supreme Court decision on tree census: The Supreme Court pointed out that large numbers of trees
are being felled in Delhi—five per hour. Therefore, it sanctioned FRI’s proposal. A bench of judges
led by Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed FRI to initiate the counting of the trees. They
also directed it to be done at a faster pace and at a lower expense.
The court also concurred with the proposal made by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati
that the funds required for the census would be made available by the Compensatory Afforestation
Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). She assured that the whole assistance required
would be provided to FRI but made it clear that the census must be done in less time.
Phased Implementation of the Tree Census: The Forest Research Institute has proposed a systematic
plan for the census, which will be implemented in three phases:
Phase One: Standardising Methodology. The initial phase, lasting 15 months, is devoted to
formulating and finalising the methodology for carrying out the tree census.
Phase Two: Action Plan Development. This phase, lasting three months, will involve formulating a
concrete action plan based on the methodology established in the first phase.
Phase Three: Implementation. The final phase, taking two years, will see the full-scale execution of
the tree census in Delhi.
The estimated budget for the initial two phases—standardisation of methodology and pilot trials for
developing an implementation plan—has been set at ₹443 lakh, as mentioned in FRI’s affidavit.
Delhi Tree Authority and Forest Department’s role: The tree census will be undertaken by the Delhi
Forest Department and the Tree Authority with technical support from FRI. FRI will also undertake
training of officials, capacity-building assistance, as well as monitoring and evaluation activities. The
findings will be reported to the Supreme Court after completion.
To make the data collection process more streamlined, FRI has also suggested creating a web portal
and mobile application to assist in the census. The web portal and mobile app will help in properly
tracking tree populations from various regions in Delhi and prevent illegal chopping down of trees.
Plan for Increasing Green Cover in Delhi: In addition to the tree census, FRI has submitted a four-
year action plan to enhance the city’s green cover. The plan is the basis for a massive afforestation
drive with the aim of enhancing the forest and tree cover in the area under the jurisdiction of the
Delhi government.

This move is in line with the National Forest Policy, which requires that one-third of the total land
area of the country be under forest or tree cover. The court ruling is likely to give a big boost to this
national target, particularly in a city like Delhi, where urbanisation has resulted in a steady reduction
in the number of trees.
Directives from the Supreme Court regarding the budget and timeline: While approving FRI’s
proposals, the Supreme Court has urged the institute to expedite the process and minimise costs.
The court emphasised the need to complete both the tree census and afforestation projects within a
shorter period than initially proposed.
Authorisation of funds from CAMPA will also guarantee that funds do not hinder the implementation
of these vital schemes. FRI has, however, been advised to utilise resources effectively and with
prudence so as not to incur unnecessary expenditure.
Delhi moving forward to a greener future: Delhi has been observing a shocking deforestation rate,
with trees cut down at a rate of five per hour, adding to increasing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and
deteriorating environmental conditions. A systematic tree census will provide important information
regarding tree numbers, distribution, and health, which will serve as the basis for conservation
policies.
With the nod from the Supreme Court, FRI, the Tree Authority, and the Delhi Forest Department will
conduct the census and afforestation plans with the help of digital resources such as a web portal
and mobile application. The initiative may serve as a benchmark for other Indian cities, leading to a
greener and healthier urban landscape.
Conclusion: The Supreme Court’s nod to the city’s first tree census and the ensuing afforestation
plan is a major step in Delhi’s environmental protection mission. By officially surveying tree
populations and adding more greenery to the city, these efforts seek to counter deforestation,
climate change impact, and the ecological imbalance of the national capital.
With a properly planned execution strategy, technical assistance from FRI, and judicial monitoring,
the success of this project can bring about a healthier and greener Delhi in the future.
Excerpt: India’s capital Delhi to get its first tree census, as the Supreme Court gives the green signal
to the FRI plan.