Establishment of the 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.