The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Green law goes for a toss

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Green law goes for a toss

By Our Staff Reporter

A tree which has been felled on the road near Maddilapalem junction in Visakhapatnam to pave the way for constructing a petrol bunk. -- Photo: K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: Though it is considered an eco-friendly law by many, the designated authority has failed to ensure its proper enforcement.

As per the AP Water, Land and Trees Act of 2002, it is an offence to fell a tree without obtaining the prior approval of the authority comprising the officials of the district administration, district water management agency, Municipal Corporation and other departments. However, trees are being felled with impunity to take up construction activity, without prior approval.

Permission

According to the Act, the owner of the premises or house shall maintain the trees and shall not fell a tree without the permission of the designated officer.

For seeking permission, one has to apply in a prescribed form with a fee of Rs.50 for urban residential and institutional areas, Rs.100 for urban commercial areas and Rs.25 for rural areas.

Specifications of law

The Act specifies that permission to fell a tree may be granted subject to the condition that the owner of the premises shall plant two trees of the same suitable species on the same site or other suitable place, within 30 days from the date of axing the tree.

If the owner or occupier of any premises fails to comply with any order made by the designated officer, the latter shall take necessary action for planting the trees and recover the expenditure incurred thereon as arrears of property tax, avers the law. If required, the officials can also seize the property.

Another casualty is the granting of plans for construction of houses without ensuring planting of trees.

As per the Act, residential areas below 100 square metres shall have three trees, 101 to 200 five, 201 to 300 ten and areas admeasuring 301 and above shall have 10 trees plus five for every increase of 100 square metres.

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