Home Dehradun Govt to allow people to fell trees on their properties in U’khand

Govt to allow people to fell trees on their properties in U’khand

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By Arun Pratap Singh

Dehradun, 16 Feb: The people of the state will soon be allowed to cut trees on their agricultural and non-agricultural lands without the mandatory permission currently required from the Forest Department. This relaxation has been given for most tree species except 15 species which have been classified as restricted and banned. The banned species include some fruit trees like mango, walnut and litchi.

Following a promise in this regard by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, the forest department had prepared a proposal in this regard and submitted the same to the government. Now this proposal has been approved by the Justice Department. Orders in this regard will be issued soon after legislative approval. Principal Secretary (Forest) RK Sudhanshu has confirmed this.

The state government had decided to amend the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act 1976 (Adaptation and Modification Order, 2002) and Uttar Pradesh Private Act, 1948 (Adaptation and Modification Order, 2002) in the state. Forest Headquarters prepared a proposal to amend both the Acts and sent it to the government. These amendments will be incorporated after the passage of a bill in this regard. The process has already been initiated by the department and at the government level.

It may be recalled that 71.05 percent area of the state is forest area. Under the Forest Conservation Act and Tree Preservation Act, people have to currently seek permission from the forest department to cut trees on their land. They have to go through a long process to get permission. They will get great relief from this decision of the government. They will be able to cut non-protected trees on their agricultural and non-agricultural land as per their need.

The felling of fifteen species of trees will continue to be banned are Banj (Oak), Kharsu (Quercus semecarpifolia), Faliant, Moru (Quercus floribunda), Riyanj and other Oak species, Peepal (Ficus Religiosa), Banyan, Pilkhan, Pakad, Gular (wild fig) and Bedu (all of them being ficus trees) Kail (Himalayan White Pine); Khair (Senegalia catechu); Cedar; Beeja Sal; Burans species; Rosewood; teak; Sadaun; Sal tree; Pine; Walnut; Mango (Desi, Kalmi, Tukmi, all varieties) and Litchi. Those in the restricted list will be allowed to be felled only in unavoidable circumstances such as if the tree is dry or is drying or it is posing a threat to property or person, or it needs to be felled for the development work of the Government. The fruit trees in the prohibited list will be allowed to be felled only if their ability to bear fruit has been lost. For this a written permission will have to be taken from the competent authority.

In addition, some conditions have been imposed for felling trees on private properties. The tree owner will have to plant two trees in place of every tree cut. In case trees are not planted, money will have to be given for the maintenance of two such trees for five years. The tree owner will have to deposit this amount in the forest department.