PANJIM: Notwithstanding criticism, the State government on Tuesday introduced the Goa Preservation of Trees (amendment) Bill 2016, deleting the coconut tree from the purview of “tree” and classifying it as “palm”.
The bill, introduced by Forest and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar, also increases fees for tree felling or compounding offences from the existing Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.
The bill seeks to omit Section 1-A of the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act 1984. “The bill also seeks to amend Section 12-A of the said Act, so as to bring coconut tree within the provision of the said Section 12-A,” it reads.
Further, the Bill also seeks to substitute Section 10 of the Act so as to provide that the person shall be bound to plant a tree if he has felled or disposed off a tree as specified.
“The bill has enhanced the fine specified for contravening any of the provisions of the Act from Rs 1000 to Rs 1,00,000,” it added.
The cabinet last month approved an amendment to the Goa Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, 1984. The decision included omission of Sec 1-A and inclusion of coconut tree in Section 12-A, “Removal of trees” etc, which are in ruinous or likely to fall.
The bill also decided to amend Section 2, modifying the dimension of tree prescribed under the act to 5 centimeter in diameter at a height of one meter from the ground, which is presently 30 cms from the ground.
