The Coimbatore Revenue Department imposed a ₹1.06 lakh [1] fine on a building owner for felling a tree without permission.
This enforcement action signals a strict approach to urban greenery laws, emphasizing that private property rights do not supersede environmental regulations. The move aims to deter unauthorized deforestation within city limits to maintain ecological balance.
The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) issued the penalty after determining that the tree removal was unauthorized [1]. In addition to the monetary fine of ₹1.06 lakh [1], the RDO mandated that the owner plant saplings to compensate for the loss of the vegetation [2].
Local authorities have increased surveillance on tree removals to prevent the depletion of the city's canopy. The RDO said the fine serves as a corrective measure for the building owner's failure to obtain the necessary legal clearances before cutting the tree [2].
The case highlights the role of the Revenue Department in monitoring land and environmental changes. By combining a financial penalty with a requirement for reforestation, the department seeks to ensure that the urban environment is restored following illegal activity [1].
Official reports indicate that the fine of ₹1.06 lakh [1] is based on the specific guidelines for unauthorized tree removal in the region. The building owner must now comply with the planting order to satisfy the legal requirements set by the RDO [2].
“The RDO of Coimbatore imposed a fine of ₹1.06 lakh on a building owner for unauthorized tree removal”
This action demonstrates the increasing willingness of Indian municipal authorities to use financial penalties and mandatory restoration to protect urban forests. By requiring both a fine and the planting of new saplings, the government is shifting from purely punitive measures toward a restorative justice model for environmental violations.
