Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

New Delhi: The Delhi Tree Authority has sought additional funds to carry out a comprehensive tree census in the national capital, revising the project’s proposed budget to around ₹3.9 crore.


The initiative aims to determine the actual number of trees in Delhi, along with their species, age and health condition, helping authorities develop better environmental and conservation strategies.


Budget Increased for Advanced Survey Methods
According to sources, the initial proposal for the project was around ₹50 lakh, but the budget had to be significantly revised due to the need for advanced technology, expert teams and large-scale data collection.


The revised proposal has been prepared under the supervision of the Forest Research Institute, which will guide the technical aspects of the project.


Survey to Be Conducted Following Supreme Court Directions
The decision to conduct the tree census comes after directions from the Supreme Court of India, which emphasised the need for accurate data on the capital’s tree population.
Under the plan, authorities will create a detailed database of trees across colonies, documenting:
Total number of trees
Species and age
Health and condition of trees


Project to Be Completed in Two Phases
Officials said the tree census will be carried out in two stages:
Phase One:
Preliminary field survey
Collection of data on trees across different areas
Phase Two:
Technical analysis of collected data
Preparation of the final environmental assessment report
A team of experts will be constituted for the project, including forest specialists, Indian Forest Service officers and environmental experts.


Use of Drones and Modern Technology
To ensure greater accuracy and efficiency, authorities have proposed using drone technology and technical support from the Survey of India.
This could help establish a real-time monitoring system for trees across the city, enabling better tracking of environmental changes.


Why the Tree Census Is Important
Experts believe that a comprehensive tree census will help authorities:
Determine the exact tree population in Delhi
Assess the health and sustainability of urban forests
Plan future plantation drives effectively
Strengthen strategies for expanding green cover
Such data will also support long-term environmental planning and climate resilience measures in the capital.


First Large-Scale Survey for the Capital
Although the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and several civic groups have conducted limited local surveys, Delhi has never had a city-wide official tree census.
Officials expect that once the project begins, the capital will witness its first comprehensive assessment of urban trees, providing critical data for future environmental policy.


Key Highlights
Delhi Tree Authority seeks ₹3.9 crore for city-wide tree census.
Survey to begin following Supreme Court directions.
Drones and advanced technology to be used for accurate data.
Project will assess tree numbers, species, age and health.
First comprehensive tree census planned for the capital.