While registered cases of tree felling in the city number 10,000 a
year, according to officials, there are many unregistered cases wherein
the public requests for axing of trees due to disruptions caused by
them. This practice has been rampant and unorganised, bringing a bad
name to BBMP while also causing quarrels among neighbours.

Now,
BBMP has struck on an idea to streamline the process of seeking
permission to cut trees all with a click of a mouse. In yet another
attempt to get hi-tech, BBMP will soon invite online requests for tree
felling for which they will launch a website in two months.

Brijesh
Kumar, chief conservator of forests, explains, “We get a lot of
requests from people to axe trees in their neighbourhood. Once the
applicant submits the request, the tree is cut. This has brought in a
bad name to some officials, who are accused of making money to carry out
the request. In order to make the whole process transparent, we will
not give immediate permission to cut trees as and when requested by
applicants.”

According to Kumar, they realised that what might  be
directly affecting the applicant may not be the case with their
neighbours. “While one person may have a problem, others residing in the
area or on the same road might be interested in retaining  the tree. We
also get a lot of calls during the late hours to cut trees. We follow
through, but no entry is made about it at our end. So we had to
streamline the process and that’s why we are coming up with a website,”
he said.

To bring in a sound mechanism, BBMP will invite
applicants to put in their requests online which will then be
scrutinised. “Any  request for cutting of a tree will be decided on only
after a margin of 15 days. We will act upon it after settling all
objections, if any. The applications are available online and can be
discussed by people who want to object or agree to the decision of
cutting the tree. Trees being a common resource, it is always better to
go on record. This will also help officers monitor requests and attend
genuine ones,” he said.

BBMP has approached KEONICS to develop the
website. “KEONICS will take charge of the website, and they will call
for tenders. The best among the submissions will be chosen to create the
website,” said Kumar.

Requests for tree-felling will also have to
be filed manually, personally signed by the applicant and submitted at
the local BBMP office, along with admissible reasons for the request.
The details will be posted on the site to make it available for the
public and also be stored as database by BBMP officials.

“Tree
officers will more or less act like judicial officers, listening to
parties for and against to come to decision,” said Kumar.