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.