Maharashtra govt. clears action plan to protect heritage trees

The State will also bring about amendments in the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
It passed an action plan to protect and preserve trees older than 50 years in urban areas by terming them heritage trees.
The plan includes the

Concept of heritage tree and plan of action for conservation;
Method to define age of the tree;
Compensatory plantation;
Rules to be followed before hacking trees;
Formation of the Maharashtra Tree Authority;
Structure of the local tree authority and their duties;
Tree census;
Fixing land of tree plantation;
Transplantation of trees; and
Tree cess and fine to be charged.

As per the plan, trees older than 50 will be termed heritage trees. The Environment and Climate Change Department will issue guidelines in consultation with the State Forest Department based on the existing methods.
Compensatory plantation will include planting the number of trees equivalent to the age of trees to be cut. The saplings need to be six to eight feet in height while planting and they will undergo geo-tagging within seven years of the caring period. The option of monetary compensation has also been given, instead of the compensatory plantation.
A State-level Tree Authority will be formed to protect and preserve heritage trees.

The authority will hear applications seeking permission to cut 200 or more trees that are five or more years old.
The local tree authorities will come under this body.
Tree experts will be part of the local tree authorities.
These bodies will ensure that the tree census is conducted after every five years.
They will also be in charge of counting heritage trees, ensuring their preservation, keeping tabs on tree plantation, pruning and caring of trees, and ensuring that 33% of government land is used for tree plantation.

The State authority will issue directions for the use of tree cess. The fine amount cannot be more than ? 1 lakh per tree in case of violations.

Source: TH

Join Our Telegram

UNDP urges to replicate Aspirational Districts programme of India

PRAGYATA': Guidelines on Digital Education

Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana

06 Feb, 24
SHARE

Recently, Prime Minister announced Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana under which 1 crore households will get rooftop solar power systems. India’s Status of Current Solar Capacity India currently stands at 4th place globally in solar power capacity. As per Ministry of New an

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)- NGO

06 Feb, 24
SHARE

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) registration of two prominent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) — Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and World Vision India (WVI) have been cancelled this month. What is FCRA? Key provisions of FCRA, 2010 Key aspects Description

Voice clone-AI

06 Feb, 24
SHARE

Voice clone fraud has been on the rise in India. AI voice cloning – It is the process of creating a synthetic replica of a person’s voice through machine learning and speech synthesis technology.It is called as voice deepfakesor audio deepfakes. Objective – To achieve a high level of na

Science communication- how to promote

06 Feb, 24
SHARE

Steps taken by India to promote Science Communication Publications and Information Directorate (PID) - An organisation under Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) established in 1951 for publishing and disseminating scientific information in India. National science magazines- The PI

Universal Basic Income (UBI)- Analysis

05 Feb, 24
SHARE

Universal Basic Income (UBI) can strengthen welfare architecture and unlock the nation’s latent demographic potential. UBI - It is an income support mechanism typically intended to reach all or a very large portion of the population regardless of their earnings or employment status. Objective- To provide enough to co