Punjab Forest Department Proposes ‘Protection of Trees Act, 2025’ to Safeguard Green Cover and Ecological Balance
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 21, 2025: The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department of Punjab is drafting ‘The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025’, aimed at preserving the state’s green cover, maintaining ecological balance, preventing environmental pollution, and conserving soil health. The new legislation, applicable across all urban areas in Punjab, seeks to regulate tree felling and ensure sustainable urban forestry management.
The Act will apply to various urban local bodies including Nagar Councils, Municipal Corporations, Notified Area Committees, Town Area Committees, and Urban Development Authorities. It includes the appointment of a Tree Officer—usually an Executive Officer or a designated state official—charged with overseeing tree protection within urban jurisdictions.
Under Section 4 of the proposed Act, no person may fell or remove any tree standing in urban areas, except if the tree is completely dead or has fallen naturally without human interference. Section 5 lists specific conditions under which tree felling can be permitted, while Section 9 outlines penalties for violations of these provisions.
Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, during a meeting at the Forest Complex in Chandigarh, was updated by department officials on ongoing efforts to remove dried, dead, and hazardous trees in a phased manner to safeguard public safety. In the first phase, approximately 25,000 dry trees will be felled.
The Minister also lauded the department for surpassing its plantation target as part of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji celebrations. Punjab has planted 90 lakh saplings across all 23 districts, exceeding the original goal of 80.5 lakh. Each district aimed to plant 3.5 lakh saplings as part of this massive greening drive.
Kataruchak reviewed the progress of sapling plantations along highway corridors in districts including Ropar—with a focus on Sri Anandpur Sahib—Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar near Khatkar Kalan, Sangrur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Praising Sangrur for taking the lead, he encouraged all District Forest Officers to pursue the campaign with full dedication.
Additionally, the Minister approved changes to the poetry contest categories commemorating late poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi. The revised classification sets Primary for classes 1 to 5, Secondary for classes 6 to 8, and Senior Secondary for classes 9 to 12.
Present at the meeting were prominent officials including Punjab State Forest Development Corporation Chairman Rakesh Puri, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dharminder Sharma, MD Punjab State Forest Development Corporation Praveen Kumar, APCCF cum CEO PUNCAMPA Saurav Gupta, APCCF (Administration) Basanta Raj Kumar, CCF (Hills) Nidhi Srivastava, and CCF Wildlife Sagar Setia.
This proactive legislation and plantation drive underscore Punjab’s commitment to a greener, safer, and more sustainable future.