Camera mounted on tree, forest dept calls it a violation

The state of trees in New Delhi Municipal Council area seem to be no better than the rest of the city with CCTV cameras seen mounted on a tree in the council’s jurisdiction.

A CCTV camera was seen nailed to a tree on Red Cross Road that separates Parliament Complex from the Red Cross Building. This is in violation to the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

Such practices are common across the city with cameras often mounted on trees instead of the party installing a separate pole for it.

Officials said the punishment can amount to fine or imprisonment.

“Under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, there are provisions for either fine or imprisonment. The fine amount can go up to Rs 30,000. If the offender pays the fine then the case is not taken to court which can further amount to imprisonment,” said a senior official, environment and forest department.

With the tree spotted in the NDMC area, the council can forward the complaint to the Environment and Forest Department. “The penal action is taken finally by the Forest Department,” said the official.

At a time when the Delhi government is planning to install CCTV cameras across the city, the administration should clamp down on offenders illegally nailing surveillance cameras into trees.

“This is a serious cognisable offence under the Delhi Tree Act as it causes severe damage to trees. The offender can be challaned and taken to court. The tree trunk faces trauma when a camera bracket is nailed onto it. In some cases, drilling deep holes into the tree can eventually lead to its death,” said Suhas Borker, founder member, the Green Circle of Delhi.

The NDMC officials said they are not aware of any such camera being mounted on a tree at the identified location. At a time the NDMC is expanding its greenery in the area, there needs to be more monitoring of the existing trees to screen abuse of trees, said experts. The public needs to be more sensitised on the issue there is increased awareness on the implications of damaging trees.

“The NDMC does not allow any party to mount CCTV cameras on trees. The party which installs a CCTV camera should do it on an individual pole,” said a senior official of horticulture department, NDMC.