Pune: Bombay High Court PIL Challenges PMC, PCMC Over Non-Formation Of Tree Authorities; Seeks Stay On Commissioners’ Decisions
Pune: Bombay High Court PIL Challenges PMC, PCMC Over Non-Formation Of Tree Authorities; Seeks Stay On Commissioners’ Decisions
Pune, June 16, 2026: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court challenging the continued exercise of powers by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Commissioners as Tree Authorities, despite the conclusion of local body elections and the availability of elected representatives.
The petition, numbered PIL (ST) No. 15917 of 2026, has been filed by PMC Corporator Datta Bahirat of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) and civic activist Pushkar Kulkarni through Advocate Satya Muley.
According to the petitioners, both PMC and PCMC have failed to constitute the statutory Tree Authority as mandated under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. They contend that the Municipal Commissioners are continuing to function as Tree Authorities even after ceasing to act as Administrators following the declaration of local body election results in January 2026.
The petition argues that the continued exercise of Tree Authority powers by the Commissioners is contrary to the legislative intent of the Act and amounts to an unjustified extension of interim administrative powers.
Under the 1975 Act, every municipal corporation is required to constitute a Tree Authority comprising a Chairperson and between five and fifteen members. The law also permits the inclusion of experts, environmentalists, retired government officials, and representatives of non-governmental organizations with experience in tree conservation and preservation.
The petition highlights the critical role of Tree Authorities in protecting and preserving trees, conducting tree censuses every five years using modern technologies such as GIS mapping, prescribing standards for tree plantation, overseeing tree transplantation during infrastructure projects, maintaining urban green cover, and identifying and protecting heritage trees.
The petitioners have also raised concerns regarding the implementation of laws governing tree felling. The Act imposes strict restrictions on cutting trees and prescribes penalties of up to ₹1 lakh and imprisonment ranging from one week to one year for violations. The petition states that the functioning of a properly constituted Tree Authority is essential for enforcing these provisions.
Advocate Satya Muley stated that several representations were submitted to both civic administrations seeking constitution of the Tree Authorities, but no action was taken. He further alleged that key questions raised regarding tree management and accountability remained unanswered.
The petition also cites concerns over PMC’s green cover and expenditure on tree-related activities. According to figures referred to in the PIL, PMC spent over ₹13.12 crore on tree census activities between 2016 and 2024. The petitioners have questioned accountability for such expenditure when a statutory Tree Authority has reportedly not been in place since 2021-22.
The PIL notes that PMC’s own data indicates only 10.1 percent of the city’s area is under green cover. It further claims that while urban planning norms suggest a city with a population of around 60 lakh should have nearly four crore trees, the 2024 tree census recorded approximately 57 lakh trees within PMC limits.
The petition seeks immediate constitution of Tree Authorities in both PMC and PCMC, quashing of decisions taken by the Commissioners while acting as Tree Authorities after January 2026, and a stay on any further decisions until statutory bodies are formed.
The matter is expected to come up for consideration before the Bombay High Court in the coming days.
