Bombay HC Raps PMC – Tree Felling Permission Requires Strict Procedural Compliance
Sections 8 and 21 of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.
“Trees are a poem which the earth writes upon the sky”. Undisputedly, saplings planted taking shape of trees give solace to the souls of the human beings who dwell on this earth and with this clear intent in mind, the Petitioner has approached this Court raising a challenge to the permission granted by the Respondent No. 2- Tree Officer of the Tree Authority Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (“PMC”) allowing felling of four coconut trees.
Respondent no.5 filed application to the Tree Officer of PMC for cutting coconut trees standing her premises on Law College Road, Erandwane, Pune.
On 2.7.2020, the notice inviting objections was published.
On 21.7.2020, the notice was pasted on the subject trees.
ON 6.8.2020, the resolution was passed allowing felling of the trees
This was challenged by the petitioner – resident of neighbourhood.
The objection raised is that the notice do not offer any details of the proposed tree cutting and the details of the trees, with its particulars are not set out in the notice at all.
Judgment dated 2.2.2026 of the Division Bench of the High Court of Bombay in Writ Petition No.3752 of 2021 with Contempt Petition No.178 of 2021
