India, May 23 -- The Delhi government has issued and notified a new standard operating procedure (SOP) mandating authorities undertaking projects that necessitate the felling of 50 trees or more to obtain clearances from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA).

The SOP, issued as a gazette notification dated April 24 and submitted to the Delhi high court, modifies the earlier process, wherein only tree officers from the forest and wildlife department had the sole authority to assess such requests. Under the revised protocol, the CEC's approval will now be required in all cases involving 50 or more trees, a move, officials said, aimed at ensuring transparency and comp...