Uttarakhand: Now there will be no jail for cutting trees on private land! The government will bring an ordinance to implement the amendment in the Act

A case is registered on behalf of the Forest Department after cutting the padas standing on the private land. The case is heard in the court of the civil judge. After amendment in the law, hearing of such cases can be done at the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) level. If the accused is not satisfied, he can appeal at the Conservator of Forests level. By amending the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act, 1976, there will be no jail term for cutting trees from private land. The government will bring an ordinance to implement the amendments made in the Act. After amending the UP Tree Preservation Act 1976 in the Dhami cabinet meeting held in Bharadisain recently, the government will bring an ordinance to implement it in the state. With the implementation of the ordinance, the new law will come into force in the state. After the implementation of the law, it will be easier to cut trees standing on private land. The new law has simplified the process of felling trees standing on private land. The provision of sending to jail for cutting trees without permission has been abolished, but the fine amount has been increased.

For cutting any listed tree standing on private or public land, a fine of five thousand per tree will be imposed for the first time, and in the second or third time, the amount of fine will be from 10 thousand to one lakh. Earlier, there was a provision of fine of five thousand and imprisonment of six months or both for cutting one or more trees standing on private land. Now the provision of sending the accused to jail has been done away with. In the amended Act, a provision has also been made to plant twice the number of trees cut.

Case will be settled at DFO level

A case is registered on behalf of the Forest Department after cutting the padas standing on the private land. The case is heard in the court of the civil judge. After amendment in the law, hearing of such cases can be done at the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) level. If the accused is not satisfied, the Conservator of Forests can appeal at the level.

The idea came to the fore in Harela’s meeting

The proposal to amend the Act was passed in the meeting chaired by Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal in the program organized on the occasion of Harela festival in July 2022. After this, on the report of a committee, an outline for amendment in the Act was prepared and handed over to the government.

Uttarakhand State Tree Conservation Fund will be established

Along with the amendment in the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act 1976, the Uttarakhand State Tree Protection Fund will also be established. Under this, the amount of fine will be deposited in this fund. The amount will be used for plantation along with tree protection etc. The state cabinet has given green signal for amendment in the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act, 1976. An ordinance will be brought to implement the new law in the state. It is being prepared at the department level. Will be implemented soon.

– RK Sudhanshu, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment