New tree committee in city by May end

 

 

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is finally putting efforts to constitute the new local tree committee by involving public representation, three years after dissolving the previous body. In June 2022, former Municipal Commissioner Dr Radhakrishnan B dissolved the previous tree committee and then onwards, the Garden Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been giving permission for tree-felling in the city. Green activists and NGOs in the city raised the demand for reformation of the tree committee many times to maintain transparency in giving permission for cutting of trees and following the rules as per Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.

 

There were about 10 members in the previous Tree Committee, including Municipal Commissioner, four environment experts and five corporators. The committee is responsible for taking decision on allowing tree-felling in city limits and also keeping vigil on compensatory plantation against tree-felling. “We are appointing five representatives who are involved in environment conservation related activities. The members must have knowledge about environment and working in this field for many years,” Amol Chourpagar, Garden Superintendent told ‘The Hitavada’. “We have received 5-6 applications from NGOs and individuals for this and after proper inquiry and scrutiny, the appointment will be made,” said Chourpagar.

 

The new committee will be constituted till the month end and the first meeting will be held soon after the formation of the committee, said the Garden Superintendent. In the past three years, rampant tree-felling has taken place in city and the civic body has failed to curb such illegal cutting of trees. Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari gave permission to most of the tree-felling proposals in recent time, which was always opposed by the green activists of the city. Constituting tree committee will help to curb the rampant tree felling in city as the committee will take the decision whether to give permission or not.