The Hindu : New Delhi News : School chairman fined for felling trees

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 05, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

School chairman fined for felling trees

Anjali Dhal Samanta

22 trees cut; offender directed to plant 220 trees

NEW DELHI: Taking their role of protecting the city's green cover seriously, the Forest Department recently fined the chairman of a West Delhi public school Rs. 1,05,000 for allegedly felling 22 trees. Moreover, the offender has also been directed to plant 220 trees -- 10 trees for every one tree cut -- as a penal measure.

According to Forest Department officials, a complaint was received on March 21 stating that 22 trees had been felled in S.D. Public School in East Patel Nagar. Following an inspection, a notice was sent to the school authorities.

On the basis of the inspection carried out by the Department officials, a compounding fee of Rs. 1,05,000 was levied on the chairman of the school, P.L. Ahuja. Also, the chairman was directed to plant 220 saplings at the "same and suitable'' area.

As per the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act 1994, permission of the Tree Officer has to be sought before trees can be cut.

And cutting down trees without the requisite permission can attract a fine and even imprisonment. While the order directing Mr. Ahuja to deposit the fine was issued by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (West) on April 19, the amount is yet to be paid.

"We were assured during the hearing by Mr. Ahuja that he would take appropriate action against the person responsible for felling the trees. We normally give offenders a period of 10 days to pay the fine. But since the fine has not been paid till now, we have issued a reminder to the school today,'' said an official.

However, according to Mr. Ahuja, the entire issue has been misunderstood.

"I don't know anything about this issue. My name is appearing here because I am the chairman. But it is the principal of the school who would be in the know of things,'' he said.

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