Businessman fined Rs 2 lakh for illegal tree cutting

Indore: The Indore Municipal Corporation has slapped a spot fine of Rs2.25 lakh on a Sanwer Road businessman for cutting down three tamarind trees without permission. Officials described it as a violation of environmental protection norms.

The trees were felled by Shahrukh Khan, operator of Goodwill Trends, located in Sector-C Industrial Area, Sanwer Road, falling under Zone 17, Ward 18. On inspection, the civic body officials found all three trees cut from the roots.

IMC garden department in-charge Rajendra Rathore, under whose direction the department has been conducting a sustained drive to protect the city’s green cover, confirmed the action. “Strict action will continue to be taken against those who damage the city’s greenery. Cutting any tree without permission is a punishable offence,” Rathore said.

He also appealed to residents and business establishments to cooperate in tree conservation and to obtain the necessary permission from the corporation before cutting or trimming any tree.