HC wants Pune's tree geo-tagging move to be replicated in Maha

Expressing satisfaction over the successful geo-tagging of trees in Pune, the Bombay High Court today said other cities across Maharashtra should take a cue and adopt this model for enhancement of green cover.
A division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M S Sonak was hearing a petition filed by activist Deepak Balakrishna against an inordinately delayed tree census in Pune city that has led to destruction of trees.
In Pune the last census for trees was started in 2007 and it took seven years for completion and nearly 32 lakh trees were counted and marked. Later geo-tagging of 5000 trees was carried out as a pilot project by roping in college students and citizens.

Geo-tagging entails automatic photographing of every tree by using a hand-held device. Each tree is photographed and its precise position tagged to a Global Positioning System (GPS).
"Pune should be a role model for geo-tagging. This is the first time in India geo-tagging of trees has been successfully done. Other cities should now try to follow this model. When technology is at disposal then why not use it," Justice Chandrachud said.
The court also noted that the Tree Authority should not just be an authority to destroy trees, but to also preserve them in the fast depleting green cover from urban areas.

The bench said that Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which gives fundamental right to life, also means right to clean environment.

As per rules, the civic body's Tree Authority has to decide on applications for tree cutting within 60 days failing which the person can go ahead with the cutting.
The court noted that the Tree Authority, comprising corporators do not pass orders on the applications.
"We place the members of the Tree Authority on notice that they must take decision on the applications within the mandatory 60 day period, failing which they may face contempt charges," the high court directed.

The court also noted that the tree authority should have an independent member from the civil society.