Tree cutting for Ease of Doing Business Vs. Sustainable Development

In 1975, the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975 was enacted for protection and preservation of trees in urban areas of the State. 

It is provided that the applications regarding felling of more than two hundred trees of five years or more and heritage trees shall be referred to the Maharashtra Tree Authority or Tree Officer of the said Authority.

Also read – Minority members (less than 10%) of the society have no right to hold up re-development of dilapidated buildings

Now, with the Amendment Bill of 2023 passed yesterday in the Legislative Assembly, the local tree authority is empowered to grant permission for felling of “all types of trees” without “referring the applications” to the Maharashtra Tree Authority for ease of doing the business through decentralization of powers, reducing number of permits and grant of permissions within stipulated time.

Interesting points raised during debate on the Bill and mentioned in the news for consideration –

Maharashtra assembly okays bill making it easy to cut trees – Rediff.com India News