India, March 11 -- The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday issued a public notice urging citizens to refrain from cutting trees for Holi celebrations. The warning has been issued under the Maharashtra (urban areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Tree Protection and Conservation Rules, 2009, said the officials.

The directions also follow a Bombay High Court order dated September 20, 2013, regarding tree conservation. According to the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act, 2021, cutting, burning, or damaging trees without permission is a punishable offence. Those found guilty of illegal tree felling may face a fine equal to the assessed value...