Prior permission mandatory for pruning or cutting trees before monsoon: PMC

As per laid-down guidelines, citizens have to raise complaints with the tree authority which then directs tree officers in every ward to take necessary action with respect to the complaints

The garden department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has warned against summary felling of trees in private areas, while appealing to citizens to apply for proper permission to prune/raze dangerous trees which are likely to be uprooted during heavy rainfall.

The garden department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has warned against summary felling of trees. (HT PHOTO)

An order issued by the garden department in this regard states: “The monsoons are preceded by cyclonic rainfall events in the city. A large number of trees and branches fall during the monsoon period in various private establishments, which obstructs free movement of traffic and there is a possibility of loss of life and property. It is imperative that such trees and branches which are susceptible to fall during the monsoon be removed with the prior permission of the garden department. At the same time, citizens can also inform the garden department in advance about such trees and branches.”

As per laid-down guidelines, citizens have to raise complaints with the tree authority which then directs tree officers in every ward to take necessary action with respect to the complaints. Citizens can also approach the tree authority through the PMC official website, or call the fire brigade department at 101, 020-26561706 or 020-26451707. The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act came into force in 1975 and according to chapter four section 7 (b), once before December 1996 and subsequently once in every five years, carrying out a census of the existing trees in all areas within the PMC’s jurisdiction is mandatory.