Deccan Chronicle        16.12.2010

Trees aren’t hoardings, BBMP to nail ‘admen’

Dec. 15: Nailing a tree in city will now attract a minimum
fine of Rs 500, and based on the abuse caused to any tree in Bengaluru,
BBMP officials can now levy a fine upto Rs 50,000. Fed up with the
increasing posters, banners and advertisement placards nailed onto
trees, the BBMP forest cell is planning to take up a massive campaign
against tree abuse. On Wednesday, volunteers from the forest cell began
the campaign by plucking posters from trees in the central business
district.

The next step will be tracing offenders who have nailed
the tree and charge them with fines. Since most posters have contact
numbers printed on them, it will not be a difficult job for officials to
trace the offenders. “There is a provision under the Tree Preservation
Act (Section 8) wherein any type of tree abuse attracts fine. The idea
is not to penalize people who commit such abuses, but to create
awareness among citizens that nailing a tree not only spoils the look of
the tree, but also its health. Hence we will start removing posters on
trees in the coming days,” Mr Krishnappa, Deputy Conservator of Forests,
BBMP forest cell officer said.

“We will start giving notices to offenders and register
cases against them so that incidents of tree abuse can be mitigated in
the city.

Almost all roadside trees are pasted with a number of
advertisements. Several researches from city institutes have proved that
nailing harms tree health and the holes where the tree is nailed catch
fungus. This ultimately results in the tree falling,” the officer
explained.

BBMP officials plan to introduce a Rs 500 fine for nailing
small posters. Bigger offences such as cutting the branch, altering the
tree roots and canopy will attract higher fine amounts. “We are also
seeking active participation from the general public to save trees from
being abused. Residents who notice such abuses can contact BBMP control
room 22221188,” said a BBMP forest cell official.