India, Feb. 28 -- New Delhi

Delhi's forest and wildlife department seized two earthmovers from a private farmland in south Delhi's Sainik Farms area on Thursday for allegedly illegally felling trees, officials said. They are investigating the total number of trees and will initiate action under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994.

Officials aware of the matter said the department deployed its quick reaction teams around 4pm on Thursday, upon receiving videos and images of possible deforestation. While earthmovers were spotted, there was no fallen tree in the media, they said.

"Two earthmovers were seized by the team on Thursday evening. While no fallen tree was found immediately, it is believed trees were likely cleared by...