Jaipur, Nov 27 (IANS) The desert state Rajasthan has prepared a draft law obligating its residents in urban areas to plant a tree in every house built on over 200 square metres of land and moots steep penalties for unauthorised tree felling, officials said Monday.
Those who are found guilty of cutting trees without prior permission will have to either pay a Rs.25,000 fine or spend six months on maintenance of a public park in their colony, the draft law has proposed.
According to the forest department officials, the draft of Rajasthan Pre Plantation and Protection in Urban Areas Bill has been finalised recently. The bill will be tabled in the state assembly soon.
"As per the provisions in the bill, every resident of an urban area will have to plant a tree in a house measuring more then 200 square metres. Those who fail to follow this law will have to shell out Rs.5,000 per year as cash fine," a senior forest department officer told IANS.
The officer said the state government will depute several tree wardens under the supervision of a chief tree warden in each city.
"A person will have to seek permission from the tree warden of their area before cutting a tree. If he or she cuts a tree without permission, a cash fine of Rs.25,000 will be slapped on the offender. If the cash fine is not paid, then the offender will have to work in a public park for six months," said the officer.
Those residents who will follow the laws regarding tree plantation properly will be given Rs.200 discount in the property tax paid by them to the local municipal office every year.
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