The municipal administration of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has issued a strong warning of legal action against individuals damaging trees within its limits. This comes as the city intensifies efforts to prevent tree-related accidents ahead of the monsoon season by deploying zone-wise staff across the city.
Pre-Monsoon Initiative
In a twin initiative during the pre-monsoon period, the garden and tree authority department has ramped up its drive called 'Khile Mukt Jhade, Vedana Mukt Nisarg' (nail-free trees, pain-free nature). The campaign aims to protect the urban environment and avert potential mishaps. Civic officials stated that nails hammered into tree trunks for advertisement boards, banners, decorative lighting, and internet or service wires tied around trees are causing severe damage and stunting their growth.
Warning from Commissioner
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) Commissioner Amol Yedge warned, "Such practices weaken trees from within due to pest infestation, increasing the likelihood of trees or branches collapsing during strong winds." With the monsoon approaching, the administration has flagged the risk posed by old, dried, and pest-infested trees across public places and major roads.
"Falling trees or branches can lead to loss of life and property. To prevent such incidents, zone-wise employees have been appointed to identify and address hazardous trees," another civic official added.
Progress and Violations
As part of the drive, around 150 trees have already been freed from nails and wires. However, violations continue in several areas. The civic body has urged citizens to report any dangerous, dried, or pest-infested trees to the garden and tree authority department at Siddharth Udyan in writing, so that timely action can be taken. Contact details of designated staff have been circulated for assistance and reporting.
Legal Framework
The CSMC reiterated that damaging trees is a punishable offence under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, with provisions for penal action. Citizens, institutions, commercial establishments, and advertisers have been given seven days to voluntarily remove nails, boards, and cables from trees and refrain from defacing public property. Failing this, strict legal action will be initiated, civic officials claimed, while appealing for public cooperation to keep the city green, safe, and pollution-free.
