Maharastra’s proposed amendment for protection of Heritage Trees

Maharastra’s proposed amendment for protection of Heritage Trees

Subject : Environment

Context : Recently, the Maharashtra government has decided 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’.

Concept :

Heritage Trees

• Under the proposed amendment, a tree with an estimated age of 50 years or more shall be defined as a heritage tree.
• The heritage tree may belong to specific species, which will be notified from time to time.
• The state climate change department should also consider a tree’s rarity, its botanical, historical, religious, mythological and cultural importance in defining a heritage tree.
• The local Tree Authority will have to ensure tree census to be carried out every five years along with counting of heritage trees.

Amendments proposed by Maharashtra Government

• The plan includes:

Concept of heritage tree and plan of action for conservation;

Method to define age of the tree;

Rules to be followed before hacking trees;

Formation of the Maharashtra Tree Authority;

Structure of the local tree authority and their duties; and

Tree cess and fine to be charged

• The State will bring about amendments in the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
• A State-level Tree Authority will be formed to protect and preserve heritage trees.
• The authority will hear applications seeking permission to cut 200 or more trees that are five or more years old.
• The State authority will issue directions for the use of tree cess and the fine amount cannot be more than ₹1 lakh per tree in case of violations.