Felling trees should be an exception: HC

Wants BBMP to implement a web-based system in which all applications for tree felling and decisions taken thereon are made available to the public

The High Court of Karnataka has told the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) that “felling of trees should be an exception rather than a rule.”

“The tree officer and tree authority would fully satisfy themselves and certify that all other alternatives have been considered regarding the feasibility of felling of trees. If any objections are received from the public, due consideration shall be given by assigning reasons,” a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri said in its recent order.

The Bench passed the order while disposing of a PIL petition initiated

suo motu on a letter written during 2011 by D.V. Shylendra Kumar, who was then a judge of the High Court, expressing concern over indiscriminate felling of trees in the city.

Directing the BBMP to take an early action on implementing a web-based system in which all the applications for tree felling and the decisions taken thereon are made available to the public in a transparent manner, the Bench said that “the tree officer and tree authority shall also consider the feasibility of transplantation of trees rather than felling of the same.”