Pune Civic Body Warns of One Lakh Fine for Tree Cutting Ahead of Holi Celebrations
Pune Civic Body Warns of One Lakh Fine for Tree Cutting Ahead of Holi Celebrations
The city of Pune is taking a strong stance against the destruction of trees during Holi celebrations. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of trees being cut down for the festival, prompting the municipal administration to act. To deter this harmful practice, they’ve announced a strict new policy: anyone caught cutting down trees for Holi will face a hefty fine of up to 1 lakh rupees.
Holi is just around the corner, with celebrations set for Thursday, March 13th. While the festival is a time for joy and color, the municipality is reminding everyone to celebrate responsibly. The traditional bonfires often use dry wood and twigs, but there’s a growing concern about illegal tree cutting. Trees in forest areas and along riverbanks are being cut down and sold in the days before Holi, or used secretly. To stop this, the municipality is warning that anyone caught cutting down trees will face consequences.
The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Tree Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2021, makes it a crime to cut, burn, or damage trees without permission. This means that anyone caught doing so could face a hefty fine of up to one lakh rupees. To further enforce this law, the municipality has set up a helpline number for citizens to report any incidents of illegal tree cutting. They’re encouraging everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Complaint can be made here:
If you see someone cutting down trees without permission, you can report it to the municipality right away. You can call the toll-free number 18001030222, send a message on WhatsApp to 9689900002, or call 9689938523 or 9689930024.
