Chandigarh, April 23: In a move to increase Punjab’s forest cover from 5.9 to 7.5 percent, the state government has introduced stricter regulations for tree felling on non-forest government and public lands, making afforestation compulsory under the newly adopted Tree Preservation Policy.
A three-tiered system—comprising committees at the state, district, and block levels—has been tasked with overseeing permissions for cutting trees, a senior official from the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation confirmed. “The Cabinet has already notified the formation of these committees, and the process to constitute them is under way,” the official said.
The policy extends beyond state-owned land, covering plots held by panchayats, urban local bodies, and state-run institutions, except those protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900.
Instances of government officials colluding with private individuals to illegally authorize tree felling have prompted the state to tighten oversight. “Such acts not only damage our green cover but also lead to significant losses to the public exchequer,” the official noted.
Under the policy, the concerned department has been granted authority to take legal action against violators under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Committees at the sub-divisional level will decide cases involving up to 100 trees, while larger cases will be escalated to district-level committees.
Clear instructions have also been issued for handling trees that pose a threat to life or property. The policy outlines guidelines for pruning and for the safe removal of hazardous trees.
Departments involved in tree felling must now plant five saplings for every tree removed and are required to maintain the new plantations for at least five years.
Besides, departments have been directed to either identify land banks suitable for afforestation or contribute funds to the Forest Department through the Green Punjab Mission.
“This is a collective responsibility,” the official said. “We’ve asked every department to actively contribute to rebuilding Punjab’s green cover.”
