Haryana Proposes New Tree Felling Policy to Streamline Urban Development
The Haryana government has proposed a new policy on tree felling in non-forest areas. The policy, which will significantly impact urban expansion and infrastructure development, seeks to simplify the process of obtaining permission to cut trees on land acquired or allotted by government bodies for residential, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
Currently, the forest department’s approval is required for any tree felling, regardless of whether the land is privately owned or public. However, under the new proposal, this requirement would be lifted in urban areas where plots are designated for development by government agencies. The policy also aims to replace outdated rules, particularly those concerning land under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) of 1900, allowing developers and landowners more freedom to manage trees on their land without needing to go through lengthy approval processes. While the policy aims to streamline urban development, it also places importance on the preservation of certain native trees that are ecologically significant. Trees like peepal, bargard, gulhar, pilkhan, khejari, and others will be protected under the new guidelines. However, the policy will allow for the removal of less ecologically important species such as eucalyptus, poplar, bakayan, and mesquite trees, even when they stand outside forest areas. Farmers and landowners will also be able to remove unproductive fruit trees without permission, provided they intend to replace them with high-density, high-yielding varieties. This move is expected to help in modernising orchards and boosting agricultural productivity.
Although the new policy aims to simplify the tree-felling process, experts have raised concerns about its potential environmental impact. The proposal appears to deregulate tree felling, particularly in urban areas where rapid development is underway. Cities like Gurgaon and Faridabad have already witnessed significant deforestation due to infrastructure projects, including the removal of thousands of trees for flyovers and road widening projects. Critics worry that the new policy could exacerbate this trend, leading to a further decline in Haryana’s tree and forest cover. According to a recent Forest Survey of India report, Haryana’s forest cover has decreased by 13.9 square kilometres between 2021 and 2023, with significant loss observed in Gurgaon. Additionally, a large portion of the state’s land, approximately 8.2%, has been affected by desertification.
Despite concerns about the environmental impact of the new policy, the state government is also pursuing initiatives to protect its natural heritage. In a positive move, Haryana has started granting “Pran Vayu Devta” heritage status to trees over 75 years old. These trees are recognised for their ecological value and are protected under the new scheme, which provides financial incentives to tree owners for their conservation. So far, 3,876 trees have been given heritage status, contributing to the preservation of the state’s older tree population. Moreover, the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) is working with Haryana to develop a mobile application that allows farmers and landowners to document the trees they grow. The app will also assess the carbon sequestration potential of these trees, helping to understand their role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The new tree felling policy in Haryana is part of a broader effort to balance the needs of urbanisation with ecological preservation. While it promises to simplify processes and facilitate development, the challenge will be ensuring that the environment is not compromised in the pursuit of progress. As urbanisation accelerates across Haryana, the state must find ways to protect its natural resources while fostering economic growth.
