Chandigarh, August 14:
The Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026 is aimed at increasing green cover, ensuring ecological balance, and regulating the felling and replanting of trees and would prove to be a milestone in the fulfillment of these tasks, said the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak.
Under the proposed bill, passed during the Monsoon Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha recently, no one will be allowed to fell trees in urban areas without permission, and anyone who cuts down one tree will be required to plant 10 in its place.
The Bill also provides for penalties and environmental compensation for illegal tree felling. A first offence will attract a fine of Rs 10,000, which will increase to Rs 35,000 for a second violation and Rs 50,000 for a third offence.
As per the bill, every jurisdiction in the state will have a designated “tree officer” whose approval will be mandatory before a tree is felled. Its objective is “to maintain green cover for ensuring ecological balance besides preventing pollution of the environment and conserving the soil.”
The Bill seeks to regulate the felling and replanting of trees in Punjab. It will apply to all municipal bodies across the state, while rural areas will remain exempt as agro forestry is practiced in villages.
According to the Bill, only a dead tree or one that has fallen without human intervention in an urban area may be cut. The state government will appoint tree officers from the Local Bodies Department or any other department, who will be responsible for granting permission to individuals or government agencies seeking to fell trees.
The officer will be required to decide on an application within 30 days, and within seven days in the case of a dead tree. The officer must record the reasons for the decision after conducting an inquiry. If the officer finds that the tree poses a danger to any person or property, permission to fell it cannot be refused.
The Bill states that any person granted permission to cut a tree shall be bound to plant and tend two trees in place of every tree cut, preferably in the same area.
If land is not available, the tree officer may allow trees to be planted elsewhere or permit the applicant to deposit money in the state treasury, but reasons for this must be recorded in writing.
Trees must be planted within three months, failing which a fine will be imposed by the tree officer for the first offence. The penalty will go up to Rs 50,000 if non-compliance continues.
Individuals who cut trees without permission from the tree officer shall face an environmental compensation penalty of up to Rs 10,000 per tree. In cases where the tree officer’s permission is not required, the concerned agency must inform the tree officer about the tree cutting within 24 hours.
Notably, trees located in cantonment areas, military stations, air force stations, and defence establishments are exempted from the act due to operational requirements of the armed forces.
