Vidhi Codex

The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) 1[Protection and Preservation] of Trees Act, 1975

The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) 1[Protection and Preservation] of Trees Act, 1975

General197525 sections8 chapters

The Maharashtra Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, regulates the cutting and conservation of trees in urban areas of Maharashtra. It applies to all citizens, land occupiers, developers, and government officials within municipal boundaries, prohibiting any tree felling without prior official permission. The legislation matters because it protects the urban environment and safeguards older, ecologically valuable heritage trees. To ensure compliance, the law mandates that anyone who cuts a tree must plant and nurture new local species to compensate, thereby actively maintaining green cover, preventing unauthorized deforestation, and ensuring healthier, sustainable urban development for the benefit of all residents.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II ESTABLISHMENT AND PROCEDURE OF TREE AUTHORITY →

  1. 3Establishment of Tree Authority.
  2. 4Meetings of Tree Authority.

Chapter III OFFICERS AND SERVANTS →

  1. 5Appointment of Tree Officer.
  2. 6Appointment of other officers and servants.
  3. 6ADuties of Maharashtra State Tree Authority.

Chapter IV DUTIES OF TREE AUTHORITY →

  1. 7Duties of Tree Authority.

Chapter V RESTRICTIONS ON FELLING OF TREES AND LIABILITY FOR PLANTING AND PRESERVATION OF TREES →

  1. 8Restrictions on felling of trees.
  2. 9Power to require planting of adequate number of trees.
  3. 10Power to require planting of a tree in place of fallen or destroyed tree.
  4. 11Responsibility for preservation of trees and power to take deposit for proper compliance.
  5. 12Adoption of trees.
  6. 13Forfeiture of deposit and recovery of expenditure on failure to comply with orders for planting trees.
  7. 14Appeals.

Chapter VI FINANCE, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS →

  1. 15Fund of Tree Authority.
  2. 16Budget.
  3. 17Accounts and audit.

Chapter VII TREE CESS →

  1. 18Levy and collection of Tree cess.
  2. 19Permission for development of land to be given with approval of Tree Officer.
  3. 20Power of Tree Authority to give directions.
  4. 20APrevention of felling or destruction of trees.
  5. 20BPower of entry for the purposes of this Act.
  6. 21Offence and penalty.
  7. 22Power to make rules.

Chapter VIII MISCELLANEOUS →

    PDF: pending for this language.