Increase penalty for felling trees to save our green cover

Stalin said checks and balances should have been put in place before withdrawal of the bill. Representation Pic/Ashish Raje

City-based environmentalist Stalin Dayanand has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that the penalty for the illegal felling of trees be increased from the present amount of Rs 1000, as well as the reintroduction of a proposed amendment to the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act, 1964. A bill, which sought to increase the penalty for the illegal felling of trees to Rs 50,000, was withdrawn by the Maharashtra government in December last year.

Even as we marked Earth Day recently, some sobering thoughts about the wanton destruction of Mumbai's green cover should have entered our consciousness. We have to see that we encourage tree plantation drives, and make every effort to promote a green consciousness. By that, one does not mean merely spouting fashionable phrases or making token contributions just because seeming to be eco-aware is hip. There should be real, on-ground change. Try greening your immediate environs and preserving these plants as far as possible.

Participating in tree plantation initiatives would prove educational. Even becoming a ‘vigilante' - where one makes complaints highlighting when the green cover is being depleted, to the appropriate authorities/forum - makes a huge difference.

The penalty for the illegal felling of trees must have enough bite and act as a strong deterrent.

Imposing a sizeable sum may prove a tree saver, ensuring that those intending to axe trees think twice and ultimately, desist from felling them at all.

The government must act to preserve our precious trees. Only a collective effort involving citizens, activists and environmentalists on the one hand and the authorities on the other can bring about the most effective results.