PMC warns of fines exceeding Rs 1 lakh for cutting trees during Dussehra

Pune, 16th October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has urged citizens not to cut tree branches or damage trees while collecting apta leaves for the Dussehra tradition of exchanging leaves as gold. The civic body’s garden department has warned that cutting trees without permission is a punishable offence and can attract fines exceeding ₹1 lakh.

During Dussehra, people traditionally exchange apta leaves as a symbol of gold. However, the practice often leads to branches being cut from apta, mango, kanchan, shami and other trees.

The garden department has appealed to citizens to follow the tradition without harming trees. It has urged people to avoid cutting branches and use symbolic alternatives to exchange as gold.

Under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act, 2022, cutting trees without permission or causing damage to them is a punishable offence. The law provides for fines exceeding ₹1 lakh.

The PMC has also appealed to citizens to report cases of unauthorised tree cutting or damage to trees to its Tree Authority. Complaints can be registered online through the civic body’s official website, www.complaints.pmc.gov.in.