Environmental activist Tejasvi Minhas has filed a complaint with the Chief Minister's Office, Punjab, seeking an FIR after a mature roadside heritage tree on Mall Road in Model Town, Jalandhar, was severely lopped, reducing it to a bare trunk. The tree, located outside a building near the Central Bank of India opposite Akal Eye Hospital, has been stripped of its canopy and major branches, losing all ecological, environmental, and aesthetic value.
Tree Mutilation Beyond Routine Pruning
According to the complaint, the tree was mutilated well beyond routine pruning. Once known for its dense canopy and shade, it now stands leafless, turning the spot into an eyesore. The representation describes the tree as a prominent green feature that enhanced the ornamental appeal of Mall Road.
Minhas has also approached the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, seeking intervention and accountability. The complaint requests an urgent site inspection to determine whether any permission was granted for such drastic cutting.
Legal Violations Cited
The representation cites possible violations of the Punjab Protection of Trees Act 2025, Punjab Trees Preservation Policy 2024, Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976, Environment Protection Act 1986, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to damage of public property and unlawful removal or sale of tree wood.
The complaint seeks identification of all responsible persons, registration of an FIR if violations are established, recovery of environmental compensation, and publication of a detailed action taken report.
Concerns Over Green Cover Loss
The incident has renewed concerns over the rapid loss of mature roadside trees in Model Town. The complaint warns of shrinking green cover, rising carbon footprint, and long-term environmental damage. According to the complaint, the tree's removal has stripped the area of its ecological and aesthetic value.
