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Tree Cutting Violations: Nagpur No More a Green City?

Tree Cutting in Nagpur
Tree Cutting in Nagpur

Trees often go unnoticed in our daily lives, quietly doing their part to support the environment.


But in Nagpur, their absence is becoming harder to ignore. As the city grows, its green cover is being chipped away, often in ways that defy the rules meant to protect it.

Behind many of these instances lies a web of violations, decisions, and actions that threaten to reshape the landscape in ways that can’t easily be undone.



Understanding the Legal Framework Governing Trees in Nagpur


The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, is the cornerstone of tree conservation in Nagpur.


This legislation requires individuals, organisations, or agencies to obtain prior permission from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) before cutting or removing any tree.


The law aims to regulate tree felling, ensure accountability, and maintain the city’s green balance.

It mandates compensatory plantation, where the removal of a tree must be offset by planting a specified number of saplings, typically at a ratio determined by the authorities.

Under this framework, applications for tree cutting must be submitted to the NMC, detailing the reason for the request and the number of trees involved.



The application is reviewed by the Tree Authority, which assesses the ecological impact before granting or denying permission. In some cases, site inspections are conducted to verify the claims made in the application.


The approval process includes conditions such as the requirement to plant saplings, ensuring a degree of accountability for any tree removed.

However, the enforcement of these provisions often reveals weaknesses. While the Act provides the foundation for protecting trees, its effectiveness depends on the proper functioning of the Tree Authority and the NMC's garden department.


Permits granted under questionable circumstances, limited follow-ups on compensatory plantation efforts, and insufficient penalties for violations have all raised concerns about the robustness of this system.


To address violations, the law prescribes penalties, which were recently revised to impose stricter fines. An illegal tree felling can attract a fine of up to ₹50,000 per tree, along with the confiscation of tools or equipment used in the act.


Despite this provision, the lack of consistent enforcement has allowed many violators to escape without facing consequences, further undermining the intent of the legislation.

Another critical aspect of the legal framework is transparency. The law requires public disclosure of tree-related decisions, such as permissions granted for felling and details of compensatory plantations.


However, in practice, this information is often not readily available, limiting public oversight and making it easier for violations to go unnoticed.



The State Information Commission has, on multiple occasions, directed the NMC to publish this data online, but compliance remains inconsistent.

The framework also includes provisions for public involvement. Citizens can file objections to tree-cutting applications and raise concerns about illegal felling. This mechanism, while important, relies heavily on active participation from residents and timely responses from authorities.


In many cases, delayed action dilutes the impact of these objections, allowing violations to continue unchecked.


The Violations: Cases That Sparked Concern

Violation of Tree Cutting Regulations in Nagpur
Violation of Tree Cutting Regulations in Nagpur

Nagpur has seen numerous instances where tree-cutting regulations were ignored, highlighting the challenges of enforcing environmental laws.


One such incident occurred at Kalode College in Omkar Nagar in July 2024. Nine trees, including two teak trees, were cut down without obtaining the required permissions.

The illegal felling was discovered after a complaint was filed by a local environmentalist.



Authorities responded by registering a police case against the college principal. This case illustrated how even educational institutions, which are expected to lead by example, have been found flouting rules meant to protect nature.


Another glaring example was the construction of Aureus Hospital in Trimurti Nagar. Seventeen fully grown trees were illegally felled to make way for the project.


A local activist brought the violation to light, leading to an investigation by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).


While a notice was issued to the hospital management, the lack of swift legal action raised concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms.

The case demonstrated how commercial interests often take precedence over ecological considerations.



The Ajni Intermodal Station project has been another contentious issue. Plans to cut 181 trees in the Ajni forest area as part of the project sparked significant opposition from environmental groups and citizens.



The area, known for its dense green cover, became a focal point of protests and legal battles. The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court intervened, demanding greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.


The incident highlightedsh how large-scale infrastructure projects often pose a direct threat to urban greenery.

On Sonegaon Road, the illegal felling of trees was spotted by volunteers of a local wildlife group in February 2023. The timber was being transported without authorisation, prompting complaints to the police and the NMC.


However, no action was taken, leaving activists frustrated with the lack of response. This incident underscored the challenges of holding violators accountable, especially when enforcement agencies fail to act promptly.



While these high-profile cases received attention, many similar violations occurred quietly across the city.


Trees in residential areas are often removed without approval, driven by the demand for space or concerns about maintenance.

These acts, although smaller in scale, collectively contribute to the steady depletion of Nagpur’s green cover. In many instances, violators exploit the lack of regular inspections and follow-up by authorities, ensuring that their actions go unnoticed or unpunished.


The persistent violations are not just breaches of the law but also clear indications of how much work remains to be done to protect Nagpur’s natural heritage.



Challenges in Enforcement

Tree Cutting In Nagpur
Tree Cutting In Nagpur

Enforcing tree-cutting regulations in Nagpur faces significant hurdles. Monitoring remains a major challenge, as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) struggles to track permissions and verify compensatory plantations. Many saplings claimed to be planted either die due to neglect or are never planted at all.


Jurisdictional confusion adds to the problem, especially with projects involving railway or defence lands.

The involvement of multiple authorities often delays action, allowing violations to continue unchecked. Corruption and lack of transparency in granting permissions further weaken enforcement, with approvals sometimes given without proper inspections.



Limited manpower in the NMC’s garden department hampers timely response to complaints. In cases like the illegal tree felling on Sonegaon Road, authorities failed to act despite multiple reports. Public apathy also plays a role, as many citizens overlook violations, viewing trees as obstacles to development.



Tree cutting in Nagpur underscores the persistent challenges of maintaining environmental balance in a growing city.


These trees, once removed, leave behind not just physical voids but also reminders of how fragile urban green spaces can be when rules are ignored.

The stories behind these felled trees, whether tied to construction projects, bureaucratic delays, or inadequate enforcement, illustrate how essential it is for regulations to be upheld in practice, not just in principle.


As trees continue to be cut without adherence to regulations, the consequences become more apparent.


The city’s green spaces, once abundant, now bear the weight of unchecked decisions and insufficient monitoring.


These moments, marked by the removal of trees, are a reflection of the ongoing struggle to protect what remains.



References




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