In news- The Maharashtra government is set to make amendments to the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act of 1975, to introduce provisions for the protection of ‘heritage trees’.
More information-
- Under the proposed amendment, a tree with an estimated age of 50 years or more shall be defined as a heritage tree.
- It may belong to specific species, which will be notified from time to time.
- Experts believe that in addition to the age, the Maharashtra state climate change department will be implementing the Tree Act.
- Maharashtra Tree Authority in local civic bodies and councils will be formed which will take all decisions regarding the protection of trees.
- The local Tree Authority will have to ensure tree census to be carried out every five years along with counting of heritage trees.
- A proposal to cut more than 200 trees of age 5 years or more, will be referred to the state tree authority.
- The tree’s age will determine the number of trees to be planted as part of the compensatory plantation- as per the amendment, the number of trees planted will be equal to the age of the heritage tree that is cut.
- The organization planting the compensation trees will also have to ensure the survival of the plantation for seven years and geo-tag the trees.
- Such plantations can be carried out either in the same plot or a common amenity plot.
- In case compensatory plantation is not possible, the tree feller has to pay compensation for the economic valuation of the trees being felled (the amount of oxygen that a tree releases into the environment should determine its economic value).
- The fine for illegal felling of trees from a maximum of Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh per tree.
Source: Indian Express
