Open House: Do you think the new Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, will bring visible change in Amritsar?

Act will help preserve urban flora & fauna

After the total mechanisation of agriculture during the seventies, landless people migrated to cities. Later, in the eighties, landlords also moved to urban areas, leading to overpopulation. As a result, cities began to turn into 'thermal heaters'. Urban planners introduced green belts, as trees clean the air, regulate temperature, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen - making life possible on earth. However, people often fail to realise the life-giving importance of trees. They encroach upon green belts and cut, prune, or fell trees indiscriminately. The Tree Preservation Act, 2024, proved to be toothless and insufficient. We had consistently emphasised the need for a more effective law to protect trees and ensure their proper enumeration. Now, a new law, "The Punjab Protection of Tree Act, 2025," has been enacted. Under this Act, if a person fells a tree, they shall be fined Rs 10,000 and required to plant two trees and ensure that both survive and grow. Failure to comply invites more severe punishment. However, since the enactment of this Act, no action has been taken against offenders, despite continued tree felling. Moreover, the government has not yet appointed 'Tree Officers' under the Act, who are responsible for protecting trees and enforcing penalties. The struggle continues to ensure the appointment of Tree Officers in all urban local bodies - such as municipal corporations, municipal committees, improvement trusts, housefeds, PUDAs, and city development authorities - so that trees can be protected. Without trees, life is impossible. It is hoped that this Act will ultimately help preserve our urban flora and fauna.

PS Bhatty

Plant, maintain trees in and around the city

At a seminar held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, on global warming, the audience was informed that summer temperatures inside the university campus remain 4-5 degrees lower than those in the surrounding areas of the city. The reason is the large number of trees on the campus. Similarly, outside the university, the temperature in Amritsar could also be reduced by 4-5 degrees if a comparable number of trees were planted and properly maintained in and around the city. However, people are often not disciplined enough to keep the city clean and green. They indiscriminately cut and chop trees and consider them unnecessary around their homes. Many complain that trees shed leaves on shops and roads, calling them a source of filth, without understanding their true value and the fact that life depends on them. At present, the new Act, which imposes a heavy fine of Rs 10,000, may help bring some positive results.

D Kumar

Basic 3 needs of life and how to save them

Firstly, human beings need food, and almost all food - except salt - comes from plants and trees. Without food, a person can survive for about 70-80 days. Secondly, the next essential need is water, which is naturally available. Without water, a person can survive for only 48-54 hours. Thirdly, air (oxygen) is essential for life, and it too comes from trees and plants. If a person does not get oxygen for even 3-4 minutes, life cannot continue. Since food and air are so essential for survival and both come from trees and plants, one wonders why humans do not protect them. The missionaries of Khudai Khidmatgaran have planted millions of trees and plants, yet it has been observed that humans themselves destroy many of them. We can only hope that the new Punjab Tree Protection Act, 2025, will help save trees and plants — the true saviours of life.

kusumjit Bhatty

Now Beware of felling trees

There was no proper law to protect trees in urban areas. People often complained that because of trees, their yards, cars and scooters get covered with leaves and droppings. Shopkeepers argued that trees hide their shop signboards. Customers need parking space, and according to them, trees obstruct parking and affect their sales. However, they fail to understand that their very existence depends on trees. People also use various tricks to cut or remove trees. Those who cut trees do not realise that this foolish act will eventually harm them in the future. There was the "Punjab Preservation of Tree Act, 2024," but it proved to be toothless. Now, a new law, "The Punjab Tree Protection Act, 2025," has been enacted, imposing a heavy fine of Rs 10,000 on anyone who fells or chops a tree. This Act needs to be widely publicised so that people become aware of it and fear violating it.

Kamal Preet

Proper implementation may help save trees

On what does life depend? There was no life on earth until plankton and plants evolved. The intensity of ultraviolet rays was once so high that no plants could survive on land. It was the green chlorophyll in plankton that enabled the process of photosynthesis, through which carbon dioxide was broken down and oxygen was released. The earliest forms of life evolved in water, just below the surface. Over time, the released oxygen led to the formation of the ozone layer, which reduced the intensity of harmful UV rays. This allowed plants to grow on land, and life gradually developed thereafter. Life depends on food and air for survival, and both come directly or indirectly from plants and trees. Humans must realise the importance of plants and trees. Planting and protecting trees is even more meaningful than merely worshipping them. However, what we observe is that humans, despite being dependent on them, often neglect and mercilessly cut and fell trees. Authorities, too, have struggled to protect them due to the lack of effective laws, while cities continue to suffer from extreme heat during summers. Now, there is hope in "The Punjab Tree Protection Act, 2025." If properly implemented, it may help save the remaining plants and trees.

Thakur IP Singh

Requires execution, citizen participation

The new Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, is a step in the right direction, especially for a rapidly expanding city like Amritsar. A fixed penalty of Rs 10,000 and mandatory plantation can act as a deterrent against illegal tree cutting. However, its success will depend on strict enforcement and public awareness. Without proper monitoring, violators may still bypass the law. Authorities must also ensure the survival of newly planted saplings, not just symbolic compliance. If implemented seriously, the law can help restore green cover and improve air quality, but it requires strong execution and citizen participation to bring visible change on the ground.

Raghav Bhardwaj

Ensure inspections, community involvement

While the new law appears progressive, its impact in Amritsar may be limited unless enforcement is consistent. The fine may not be significant for large developers who often prioritise construction over environmental concerns. The rule of planting two saplings is commendable, but their maintenance is rarely ensured. Urbanisation pressures are high, and without integrating green planning into development policies, such laws risk becoming symbolic. The government should complement this law with strict inspections and community involvement. Only then can Amritsar witness meaningful environmental improvement rather than temporary or cosmetic compliance measures.

Dr Rakesh Sharma

Technology could improve transparency

The Punjab-Protection of Trees Act, 2025 could bring positive change if implemented with accountability. Amritsar is facing rapid urban growth and green spaces are shrinking. Penalising illegal tree cutting and mandating plantation can help balance development with environmental conservation. However, authorities must track whether the planted saplings survive and grow into trees. Technology like geo-tagging plantations could improve transparency. Public participation is equally important, as citizens must report violations. If the government ensures transparency and accountability, the law has the potential to significantly enhance the city's ecological balance over time.

Kuljit Singh

Awareness can bring about change

The introduction of stricter penalties for cutting trees without permission is a welcome move, but its effectiveness will depend on ground-level implementation. In Amritsar, where urbanisation is rapid, illegal tree felling often goes unnoticed or unreported. The fine may deter individuals, but bigger entities might still risk violations. The mandatory plantation clause is positive, yet without proper care, saplings often fail to survive. The government must ensure regular monitoring and involve local communities in maintaining green cover. Only a combination of enforcement and awareness can bring visible and lasting environmental improvement.

Manish Kumar

Real impact depends on implementation

This new legislation reflects growing environmental concern, but laws alone cannot transform Amritsar's landscape. The penalty and plantation rule are strong provisions, yet their real impact depends on implementation. Civic authorities must ensure transparency in granting permissions and strict action against violators. Public awareness campaigns can encourage citizens to value trees and report illegal activities. Moreover, urban planning should include green belts and protected zones. If the law is supported by proactive governance and responsible citizen behaviour, it can gradually improve the city's green cover and environmental health

Pawan Chaudhry

Fine can discourage casual violations

The Punjab-Protection of Trees Act, 2025, is a necessary step towards protecting urban greenery in Amritsar. With increasing construction, trees are often the first casualty. The fine and plantation requirement can discourage casual violations. However, the challenge lies in ensuring compliance and follow-up. Many past initiatives have failed due to poor monitoring. Authorities must adopt a transparent system to track permissions, penalties and plantation outcomes. Engaging residents, schools and local groups can strengthen implementation. If executed effectively, the law can bring gradual but visible change, making Amritsar greener and more sustainable in the coming years.

Ravinderpal Singh

Proper monitoring needed

The new Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, is a welcome step towards addressing the growing loss of green cover in rapidly urbanising Amritsar. Imposing a fine and mandating compensatory plantation can act as a deterrent against illegal tree cutting. However, the real impact of the law will depend on strict enforcement and public awareness. Without proper monitoring, such provisions often remain limited to paper. Amritsar has already witnessed significant environmental stress due to expanding infrastructure and shrinking green spaces. To bring visible change, authorities must ensure transparency in granting permissions and follow-up on plantation drives to see if saplings actually survive. Public participation is equally important, as citizens must value and protect urban greenery. If implemented effectively, the law can help restore ecological balance, improve air quality, and make the city more sustainable. Otherwise, it risks becoming just another well-intentioned but poorly enforced regulation.

Jagtar Singh

Fine not a strong enough deterrent

While the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, appears well-intentioned, I remain skeptical about its actual impact in a city like Amritsar. A fine of Rs 10,000 may not be a strong enough deterrent, especially for builders and developers involved in large-scale projects. For many, this could simply become an additional cost of doing business rather than a reason to protect trees. Moreover, the requirement to plant two saplings does not guarantee environmental restoration. In urban areas, saplings often fail to survive due to poor maintenance, lack of space, and inadequate planning. Without a proper system to monitor their growth, this provision may remain symbolic. The bigger concern is enforcement. Past environmental regulations have struggled due to weak implementation and lack of accountability. Unless authorities ensure strict checks, regular inspections, and impose heavier penalties for violations, the law may not lead to meaningful change. Real progress will require not just penalties, but a shift in urban planning priorities where protecting green cover becomes central, not optional.

Kewal Kumar