New Delhi: Driving a nail through a tree can technically land one in jail for a year. Delhi’s Tree Authority, set up in 2007, will shortly issue a fresh directive for preserving trees in the capital. Members said that they had been receiving several reports on the “ill-treatment” of trees across the city and would take strict action against those violating the Tree Act of 1994. Sources said they had been told that all rules pertaining to trees, including girdling and nailing them, putting up hoardings and lights, and indiscriminate lopping were causing immense damage to trees. Since it would not be possible for forest department officials to carry out inspections everywhere, they would like residents to keep the department informed of such violations. “Violation of the Tree Act can fetch a jail term up to one year. Offenders can also be fined up to Rs 1,000. These punishments are applied only in the most extreme cases but even small violations like driving a nail into a tree will not be overlooked. We would like residents to report any such damage to the forest department so that action can be initiated against the guilty,” said a member. The Authority is also focusing on third party inspection of all plantations undertaken by the forest department and other civic agencies. “Delhi has undertaken huge plantations in the recent past and we would like third party verification to ensure that work is progressing as reported and that plantations are healthy. Agencies like The Energy Research Institute and Forest Research Institute will be contacted for the purpose,” said sources. The Authority is also considering the use of bamboo for tree guards. Tree guards are needed to protect plants when they are young but in several cases, even when the plant has matured, civic agencies have failed to remove guards which are choking the trees. “All greening or road-owning agencies must remove tree guards in a time-bound manner to allow trees to grow without damage. We are also mulling the option of tree guards made from bamboo which will not affect the growth of trees in the long run,” said a member. A tree protection unit, on the lines of NDMC’s tree ambulance, will also be set up under all land-owning agencies. The Authority said that such units were essential to protect trees against pathogen attacks and to take other curative measures. Agencies like DDA, NDMC, PWD and the three municipal corporations will be asked to set up such units. What law says • Girdling, nailing and lopping of trees prohibited • Hanging lights and hoardings not permitted • Violation punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and/or fine of Rs 1,000 • Third party verification of all plantations on cards • Tree protection units to be formed by all civic agencies