Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Following reservations raised by some MLAs, the Tree Authority has decided to exempt the single house/ standalone construction from approaching Tree Authority and instead approach the tree officer for permission for tree-felling for construction.
An order issued by Dr Puneet Kumar Goyal, Chief Secretary and Chairman of Tree Authority, says the matter was deliberated in the joint meeting of the Tree Authority of the North Goa and South Goa districts dated 13th April 2022, wherein the MLAs suggested that it shall be a matter of grave inconvenience to the public if the proposal of tree felling relating to single/standalone houses is brought to the level of Tree Authority rather than the Tree Officer.
A PIL Writ Petition, No. 8 of 2021, has been filed by Living Heritage Foundation in the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay at Goa regarding various duties of Tree Authorities in terms of section 7 of the Act.
In the above matter, Hon’ble Court vide judgement dated 22nd March 2022 (copy enclosed), have directed that “for the effective implementation of Section 7 (i), whenever there is any proposal by the Government Department or private bodies for the construction of buildings, roads, factories, irrigation works, laying out of electric, telephone, telegraphic, and other transmission lines and such proposals involve the felling of trees then, such proposal will have to be placed before the Tree Authorities.
Thereafter, the Tree Authorities must undertake a critical study of the proposals and make their recommendations. Such recommendations will have to be considered by the
authorities granting approvals for such proposals. Having regard to the importance of preservation of trees, we are sure that such authorities will give due consideration to the recommendations on the aspect of protection of existing trees and planting of more trees.”
Hon’ble Court has further directed that “The Tree Authorities and the Concerned Secretary of the Government must, at the earliest, inform the authorities that are involved in granting approvals to Government and private proposals through an appropriate
an instrument like circular, etc., so that there is effective compliance.”
“The matter was deliberated in the joint meeting of the Tree Authority of the North Goa and South Goa districts dated 13th April 2022, wherein the MLAs suggested that it shall be a matter of grave inconvenience to the public if the proposal of tree felling relating to single/standalone houses are brought to the level of Tree Authority rather than the Tree Officer,” teh chief Secretary said.
He further said, in view of the above as per provision of section 7 (i) of the Act, order of Hon’ble Court dated 22″ March, 2022 and deliberations as mentioned above, henceforth, before applying to Tree Officer for felling of trees in any proposal related to the construction of buildings (except single/standalone houses), roads, factories, irrigation works, laying out of electric, telephone, telegraphic, and other transmission lines, it will have to be submitted by concerned Department/others to Tree Authorities,
through respective Member Secretaries.
“On receipt of such proposals, Tree Authorities will critically study and furnish recommendations to competent authorities granting approvals to such proposals. Once such a proposal is approved, the concerned Department / private organisation may accordingly apply to the Tree Officer for tree felling permission,” the Chief Secretary’s order said.
