Chandigarh, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026 will be a milestone in increasing the state’s green cover, maintaining ecological balance and regulating the felling and replanting of trees, Punjab Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said.
The Bill, recently passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during its Monsoon Session, proposes mandatory permission for cutting trees in urban areas and lays down penalties and environmental compensation for unauthorised felling.
Under its provisions, a person permitted to cut a tree will generally be required to plant and maintain two trees for every tree felled, preferably in the same area. The Bill also provides for a designated tree officer in every jurisdiction whose approval will be required before a tree is cut.
The legislation will apply to municipal bodies across Punjab, while rural areas have been kept outside its ambit because of the prevalence of agroforestry practices in villages.
Only a dead tree or a tree that has fallen naturally in an urban area may be cut without the prescribed permission. Tree officers may be appointed from the Local Bodies Department or other departments and will be responsible for deciding applications from individuals and government agencies.
An application must ordinarily be decided within 30 days, while applications concerning dead trees must be decided within seven days. The officer will have to conduct an inquiry and record reasons for the decision. Permission cannot be denied if a tree is found to pose a threat to life or property.
Where land is unavailable for replanting, the tree officer may permit plantation at another location or allow the applicant to deposit money in the state treasury, with reasons recorded in writing.
Trees required under the replantation provision must be planted within three months. Failure to comply will attract a fine, with the penalty potentially rising to Rs 50,000 if the violation continues.
Unauthorised tree felling can attract environmental compensation of up to Rs 10,000 per tree. Where prior permission is not required, the concerned agency must inform the tree officer within 24 hours of the felling.
The Bill also provides for fines of Rs 10,000 for a first offence, Rs 35,000 for a second offence and Rs 50,000 for a third offence.
Trees in cantonment areas, military stations, Air Force stations and other defence establishments have been exempted in view of the operational requirements of the armed forces.
Kataruchak said the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen tree conservation while ensuring ecological balance, preventing environmental pollution and protecting soil.
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