Jalandhar activist pushed for stringent tree protection law
A landmark step towards the protection of Punjab’s rapidly declining green cover has been achieved with the Punjab Cabinet approving the Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2025.
The proposed legislation provides, among other measures, for a penalty of up to Rs 50,000 for the illegal felling of trees and makes it mandatory to plant 10 saplings for every tree permitted to be cut, marking the first dedicated legislation for the protection of urban trees in the State.
Interestingly, the lesser known fact is that a Jalandhar-based activist had made sustained legal intervention before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for years demanding a policy on protecting green cover in the state and a concrete law against rampant violators.
Jalandhar-based social and environmental activist Tejasvi Minhas had raised the issue before the NGT in 2024, seeking comprehensive legal protection for urban trees in Punjab and highlighting the absence of any dedicated legislation regulating indiscriminate tree felling across the state. The matter was heard along with another application filed by Ludhiana-based environmentalist Kapil Dev.
During the course of the proceedings, the NGT repeatedly sought response from the state government regarding the proposed legislation. Under the scrutiny of the tribunal, the Punjab Government had prepared a draft law and placed its progress before the court on multiple occasions.
During a hearing on the issue on May 29, 2026, the state government, through its counsel, had assured the green tribunal that the Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2025, would be introduced during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of the Vidhan Sabha.
The government informed the tribunal that delays had occurred due to inter-departmental objections and procedural formalities, but confirmed that the draft legislation was ready.
Activist Tejasvi Minhas said the Punjab Cabinet nod to the Bill now fulfils the assurance given before the National Green Tribunal and represents a major milestone in the legal proceedings initiated before the tribunal.
“This is a historic day for environmental protection in Punjab. When this petition was filed before the NGT, Punjab had no dedicated law for the protection of urban trees. The objective of the litigation was to compel the state to formulate a comprehensive legal framework, and today’s cabinet approval is a significant achievement in that direction,” Minhas said.
Punjab forest cover
Punjab presently has one of the lowest forest cover in India, with only about 3.65 per cent of its geographical area under forest — far below the national average and the national goal of 33 per cent. Rapid urbanisation and indiscriminate tree cutting have made the enactment of a strong tree protection law an environmental necessity.
What application stated
An application filed by Minhas with the NGT, seeking an action against illegal cutting of 13 trees at the Postal and Telecom (P&T) Residential Colony in Jalandhar on October 2, 2024, without any permission, had sought directions to the Government of Punjab and DIG, Punjab, to make an effective law to deal with cutting of trees in such a manner so that complainants are not harassed and a complaint can be filed easily. The application also called for the accused to be ordered to replant the trees cut as per colony residents’ requirements.
Another subsequent petition said with respect of illegal felling of trees there was no clear provision in the 2024 policy as to where to make a complaint; there is no tree census in the urban area in the state; violators mostly go free; no data available with MCs regarding — pre- or post-felling.
