Chandigarh, December 3
Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced that the state Finance Department has granted its approval to the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department’s proposal for the drafting of ‘The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025.’
Announcing this pivotal decision in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Act marks a significant step towards urban greening and environmental conservation, ensuring the state’s legislative commitment to tree preservation. He emphasised that the draft legislation, which proposes stringent measures and heavy fines for unauthorised felling of trees, will strengthen the state’s efforts to combat environmental degradation.
“We have thoroughly reviewed the proposal for ‘The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025. Not only does it formalise our commitment to protecting urban greenery, but the Forest Department has also confirmed that its implementation will not place any additional financial burden on the state exchequer”, said Cheema.
Highlighting the financial aspect of the Bill, the Finance Minister said that the Act is designed to generate funds through penalties and fines. “These funds will be strategically channelled back into urban areas specifically for greening projects, creating a self-sustaining mechanism for environmental maintenance and development across Punjab”, he added.
Reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government’s commitment to enacting effective legislation for tree preservation, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the swift approval of the draft Bill underscores the state government’s dedication to upholding its environmental and legal obligations. He said that the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025, will now undergo the necessary legislative process, paving the way for its presentation before the Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.
