Frequently asked questions
Tree Felling and Tree Planting
What is the procedure to be followed to fell a tree?
What if a citizen wishes to fell a tree on his/her private premises?
When I wish to fell a tree on my property, is it mandatory to plant two saplings on my own land?
What kind of saplings do I have to plant? Where can I buy saplings?
Does one need to get permission from the Forest Department for every tree that one needs to fell?
What if a tree is causing danger to pedestrians, is on the verge of falling down or is badly infected?
What does one do if the branches of a tree planted on a road are causing inconveniences?
What if the branches of trees are touching or nearly touching electricity lines?
How does the BMP decide where the trees are to be planted?
What about the maintenance for these trees?
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What is the procedure to be followed to fell a tree?
The Tree Protection Act of 1976 lays down the procedures that have to be followed for cutting down of a tree. The procedure for cutting or removing a tree from its present location depends on who the owner of the tree is. The owner of the land on which a tree is rooted will be its owner. The owner of a tree may be:
• The BMP-If the tree is situated on the road
• The BDA-If it is on a BDA site
• The Citizens- if the tree is situated on private land
If the owner of the tree is the BMP and a citizen wishes to get a tree removed from the road or footpath or any other such public place, the procedure is as follows:
• Before making a requisition to the BMP for felling a tree, the citizen will first have to a sign a declaration that he has planted two saplings for every tree that he wishes to fell (in accordance with High Court order No. 8178 passed on 03.07.2003). The citizen must make a hand written requisition to the Horticulture Department of the BMP stating why he needs to shift or fell the tree. The BMP will not consider the application unless the tree in question is causing absolute inconvenience or poses danger to the public.
• Once the BMP accepts the requisition, it will forward it to the Forest department. The tree officer from the Department will then inspect the site of the tree and will either accept or reject the requisition. He will also make sure that the citizen has planted two trees for every tree that he wishes to fell.
• If the Tree Officer has cleared the requisition, the owner may proceed to fell / shift the tree.
• In order to fell a tree that is on BDA land, the above-mentioned procedure will have to be followed.
What if a citizen wishes to fell a tree on his/her private premises?
If the owner of the tree is a private citizen, he can approach the Forest Department with a hand written application and follow the same procedure as mentioned above.
When I wish to fell a tree on my property, is it mandatory to plant two saplings on my own land?
Yes. According to a High Court order, whenever a citizen wishes to fell a tree he will first have to plant two saplings. These saplings can be planted anywhere, as long as the citizen signs a declaration stating that he has done so
What kind of saplings do I have to plant? Where can I buy saplings?
The sapling that you have to plant will have to be that of a tree. You cannot plant shrubs or other such plants.
The Forest Department has over 30 nurseries located in and around Bangalore. Citizens have a wide variety of saplings to choose from. Upon filling a simple form anyone can receive unlimited number of saplings free of cost.
Does one need to get permission from the Forest Department for every tree that one needs to fell?
No. Some trees like Coconut tree, Eucalyptus, Rubber, Silver Oak, Babul can be felled without the permission of the Forest Department. A list of all such trees that can be cut without prior permission is available with the Forest Department.
What if a tree is causing danger to pedestrians, is on the verge of falling down or is badly infected?
In case of such emergencies the Forest Department can be contacted and they will immediately send their personnel to remove the tree.
What does one do if the branches of a tree planted on a road are causing inconveniences?
In such cases, the citizen, not being the owner of the tree, does not have the right to trim the branches. The BMP will have to be intimated and only they can take further action.
What if the branches of trees are touching or nearly touching electricity lines?
The BESCOM has the authority to trim the branches of trees that are near electric lines. They regularly get the branches trimmed. In such cases, a complaint can be filed with BESCOM and they will trim the branches.
How does the BMP decide where the trees are to be planted?
Before undertaking the tree planting programme, the BMP conducts research in all the 100 wards, keeping in mind that the new trees should not obstruct infrastructure projects such as roads, pavements, subways, or flyovers.
What about the maintenance for these trees?
Metal tree guards will be provided for the trees to protect them against grazing animals. The BMP is encouraging private organisations, NGOs, and other organisations to come forward and adopt these saplings and protect them, while ensuring their growth.