Pune Municipal Corporation has warned residents that cutting tree branches or damaging trees while collecting apta leaves during Dussehra can attract fines exceeding Rs 1 lakh. The civic body has urged citizens to observe the tradition of exchanging apta leaves as symbolic gold without harming trees.
The warning was issued by the PMC’s garden department ahead of Dussehra, when people traditionally exchange apta leaves as a representation of gold. According to the civic body, the practice can result in branches being cut from apta, mango, kanchan, shami and other trees.
The PMC said cutting trees without permission or causing damage to them is a punishable offence under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act, 2022. The law provides for fines exceeding Rs 1 lakh, making unauthorised damage to trees a potential financial and legal liability for residents.
The civic body has appealed to citizens to avoid cutting branches while collecting leaves. It has also suggested that residents use symbolic alternatives to exchange as gold, allowing the cultural practice to continue without damaging urban greenery.
The warning places responsibility on citizens to distinguish between observing the festival tradition and removing parts of trees without authorisation. The PMC’s appeal covers not only apta trees but also other species that may be affected during the custom, including mango, kanchan and shami trees.
The civic body has asked residents to report cases of unauthorised tree cutting or damage to the Tree Authority. Complaints can be registered online through the PMC’s official complaints website, www.complaints.pmc.gov.in.
The PMC’s warning comes as the city prepares for Dussehra and follows the civic body’s stated effort to prevent festival-related damage to trees. Residents have been urged to use alternatives to freshly cut branches and report violations through the designated online complaint channel.
