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.