Chennai Corporation Imposes ₹1 Lakh Fine for Cutting Trees Without Permission
Greater Chennai Corporation imposes strict fines for illegal tree felling.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has introduced a ₹1 lakh penalty for anyone found felling trees in public spaces without prior approval, effective from January 12. This measure targets unauthorized tree removal within city limits and forms part of intensified efforts to safeguard Chennai's diminishing green cover. The corporation emphasized that all activities involving tree cutting, pruning, or relocation now require formal permission through designated digital channels.
Applications for tree-related permissions must be submitted exclusively via the Green Committee portal on the GCC website or the Namma Chennai app. The previous practice of direct submissions to the forest department has been discontinued. A senior GCC official stated that the shift to a fully digital platform aims to reduce processing delays and enhance transparency in decision-making, with applicants receiving status updates through SMS notifications.
In addition to the primary fine for unauthorized felling, penalties of up to ₹15,000 will be imposed for lesser violations, including pruning branches without approval or causing harm to trees. Prohibited actions include driving nails into trunks, affixing advertisement boards, or wrapping decorative lights around them. Prior to committee review, site inspections will be conducted by GCC park officials, forest department personnel, and social activists to assess the necessity of proposed actions.
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The initiative aligns with broader environmental objectives, including large-scale tree plantation drives and the development of micro-forests across the city. Environmental activists have welcomed the regulations, noting that previous lax enforcement contributed to rising urban temperatures due to reduced greenery. They stressed the importance of consistent application, particularly for infrastructure projects where compensatory planting has often been neglected.
Residents and activists have called for uniform enforcement across all government departments to ensure accountability. The new rules address long-standing concerns about unauthorized tree removal for development works, with expectations that stricter penalties will deter violations and contribute to sustainable urban greening in Chennai.
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