Telangana: Forest dept slaps Rs 20 lakh on real estate firm for felling trees

Hyderabad: The Forest department levied a penalty of Rs.20 lakh on a real estate firm for cutting down many trees without obtaining any permission from the department to expand its venture in Medchal. Not confining to levying penalty, the department said the firm would also be made to plant saplings on a large-scale. According to […]

Hyderabad: The Forest department levied a penalty of Rs.20 lakh on a real estate firm for cutting down many trees without obtaining any permission from the department to expand its venture in Medchal.

Not confining to levying penalty, the department said the firm would also be made to plant saplings on a large-scale.

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According to forest department officials, Vasavi Green Leaf Ventures had cut down hundreds of trees at Bomraspeta in Keesara mandal, Medchal about 10 days ago.

After receiving a complaint, Medchal District Forest Officer Venkateshwarlu ordered an enquiry into the incident. In the enquiry, it was found that the real estate firm did not obtain any permission and had cut down hundreds of trees.

A case was booked under VOLTA Act and investigation was conducted. In lieu of the loss of greenery, the forest department officials levied a huge penalty on the firm.

Forest department officials informed that even in case of private lands, it was mandatory to obtain permission from the department. Permission can be applied online as well, they said.

When an application is filed by an individual or a firm, an enquiry will be conducted by the forest department and permission will be accorded as per rules.

In case of limited trees, the respective District Forest Officer will give permission and in case many trees are to be cut, then the application will be scrutinized by the District Tree Protection Committee and permission will be accorded after an enquiry and approval by the committee.

Telangana Government is according top priority to greenery and is taking up Haritha haram programme on a large-scale annually. Cutting of trees should be avoided and if at all trees need to be felled, permission has to be obtained from the forest department, PCCF R. Shobha said.

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