Chapter II TREE AUTHORITY

(1) The State Government shall, by notification, constitute a Tree Authority for each urban area and for each rural area.

(2) Such Authority shall consist of five members as follows:-

(a) For urban areas,- (i) The Forest Officer incharge of a Territorial Forest Circle – chairman; (ii) The Joint Director Horticultural, having Jurisdiction; (iii) The Superintending Engineer, Communication and Building having jurisdiction; (iv) In respect of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike a representative of the Commissioner and in respect of other Corporations and Muncipalities the Commissioner of City Corporation or Municipality, as the case may be; (v) One Botanist or Ecologist nominated by the State Government.

(b) For a rural area specified in Schedule-I,- (i) The Forest Officer incharge of a Territorial Forest Circle – Chairman; (ii) The Deputy Commissioner of the district or his representative not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner; (iii) The Superintending Engineer Communication and Buildings having jurisdiction; and (iv) two non-official members with background in Environmental Conservation and Protection nominated by the State Government.

(c) For a rural area specified in Schedule II ,-

(i) the Adhyaksha of the Taluk Panchayat;

(ii) the Block Development Officer having jurisdiction;

(iii) the Assistant Conservator of Forests nominated by the Divisional Forest Officer;

(iv) the District Horticultural Officer having jurisdiction:

(v) one member of the Taluk Panchayat nominated by the Adhyaksha:

(3) The State Government shall appoint one of the members to be the Chairman.

(4) The Tree Authority may co-opt in such manner and for such period as it may determine not more than three representatives of non-official organisations having special knowledge or practical experience in the preservation of trees.

(1) The Tree Authority shall meet at least once in three months at such place and time as the Chairman may decide and shall conduct its business in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Tree Authority shall be one-third of the total number of its members.