PANAJI
The Tree Authority of Goa has recommended real-time monitoring of compensatory afforestation, which is carried out in lieu of permissions granted to fell trees for various government, commercial projects and also individuals.
During its latest meeting, the Authority has also proposed increasing security deposit per tree to Rs 1,000 for individuals and Rs 5,000 for commercial and government department in addition to hiking the tree felling and license fees.
During the meeting, the Authority recommended that a software based tool may be attempted by the forest department for effective and real time monitoring of compensatory replanting which is mandatory under Goa preservation of Trees Act 1984.
According to the Act, the project proponent or the individual, who is responsible for felling or disposing of any tree, is bound to plant or replant such number and kind of trees as directed by the Authority.
Sources informed that the Authority noted a large amount of backlog in the compensatory afforestation, especially with regards to government projects. “The afforestation is undertaken at a very snail pace. For a tree permitted to cut, usually, three times the number of trees to be replanted. Authority, in the past had given powers to the village biodiversity management committees to oversee the replantation process,” sources said.
Further, to ensure only genuine and bare minimum trees are felled and subsequent required compensatory tree plantation is carried out by user agency, the authority decided to increase the felling and license fees and directed the Forest department to submit a proposal.
Currently, Tree felling fees are Rs 100 per tree and security deposit, which is refundable on compliance of replantation, is Rs 200 per tree to be planted against felling.
The Authority, through the department, has already sent a proposal to the government to increase security deposit to Rs 1000 per tree in case of individual applicants and Rs 5000 per tree for government and commercial projects.
