Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has directed the Forest Department to empanel technically competent agencies to ensure higher survival rates of transplanted trees in the Capital.
The agency should be equipped with modern tree transplantation machinery. The directive aims to strengthen Delhi’s green cover. The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Sirsa with senior Forest Department officials to assess the city’s ongoing transplantation projects and their outcomes.
The move aligns with the vision to build a greener, healthier Delhi. “Until now, many agencies used backhoe loaders for transplantation, which often damaged roots and led to poor survival rates,” the minister said after the meeting.
“Going forward, only agencies with verified technical expertise and professional tree transplanter machines capable of lifting full-grown trees with intact root balls and soil will be empanelled. The aim is simple: to give every transplanted tree a genuine chance to survive.”
Following the meeting, the Forest Department issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting qualified agencies to apply for empanelment.
The EOI specifies criteria related to technical capacity, experience, and machinery standards required for safe and effective tree transplantation in Delhi.
Officials said the government’s focus is on moving beyond symbolic plantation drives to long-term ecological impact. Tree transplantation, shifting trees from construction sites or development areas to new locations, has often faced criticism due to low survival rates. The latest directive seeks to address these gaps through professionalism and better technology.
“Delhi’s environment faces multiple pressures from construction to urban expansion,” Sirsa said. “Our commitment is unwavering. We are addressing every legacy gap with the same seriousness as a health crisis. This directive will act as an environmental safety net for the city’s green cover.”
He also acknowledged that previous transplantation efforts had yielded mixed results.
“Past records show low survival rates of transplanted trees. With technically qualified agencies and proper machinery, we expect a visible improvement in success rates and overall tree health,” he added.
Officials noted that the Delhi Government’s broader environmental plan is focused on creating a ‘protective green shield’ around the city. This includes large-scale plantation drives, measures to curb dust and vehicular pollution, and stricter monitoring of green cover loss during infrastructure projects. “From reducing dust pollution to rejuvenating green cover, every step we take is part of one mission to make Delhi breathe easier, live healthier, and stay greener through every season,” the minister said.
The empanelment process is expected to begin shortly, with the shortlisted agencies likely to be deployed on upcoming transplantation projects by the end of this year. The government believes that modernising transplantation techniques is essential for preserving Delhi’s existing trees, many of which are decades old. Officials said the initiative represents a shift toward treating trees not as obstacles to development, but as vital assets to be protected through science and care.
